CONTENTS The Sisters An Encounter Araby Eveline After the Race Two Gallants The Boarding House A Little Cloud Counterparts Clay A Painful Case Ivy Day in the Committee Room A Mother Grace The Dead

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talking of faints and worms.. But now it sounded to me like the name of some maleficent and sinful being. I thought.." "Who?" said I. Cotter here has just told us." He began to puff again at his pipe without giving us his theory.DUBLINERS
THE SISTERS THERE was no hope for him this time: it was the third stroke. like the word gnomon in the Euclid and the word simony in the Catechism. Old Cotter was sitting at the fire. It had always sounded strangely in my ears. mind you." "Is he dead?" "Mr. but I soon grew tired of him and his endless stories about the distillery.. Now I knew they were true." I knew that I was under observation so I continued eating as if the news had not interested me. It filled me with fear.. My uncle explained to old Cotter. I'll tell you my opinion.. no doubt arranging his opinion in his mind. when I came downstairs to supper. peculiar cases." and I had thought his words idle. The old chap taught him a great deal.. Night after night I had passed the house (it was vacation time) and studied the lighted square of window: and night after night I had found it lighted in the same way. there was something uncanny about him. He had often said to me: "I am not long for this world.. "I think it was one of those. My uncle saw me staring and said to me: "Well. I wouldn't say he was exactly. "Father Flynn.... you'll be sorry to hear. and yet I longed to be nearer to it and to look upon its deadly work. so your old friend is gone.. While my aunt was ladling out my stirabout he said." he said." He began to puff at his pipe. as if returning to some former remark of his: "No. He was passing by the house. If he was dead." 3
. But it's hard to say.. "I have my own theory about it. I would see the reflection of candles on the darkened blind for I knew that two candles must be set at the head of a corpse. but there was something queer. Tiresome old fool! When we knew him first he used to be rather interesting. faintly and evenly.. smoking... and they say he had a great wish for him. "The youngster and he were great friends. Every night as I gazed up at the window I said softly to myself the word paralysis.

My idea is: let a young lad run about and play with young lads of his own age and not be. In the dark of my room I imagined that I saw again the heavy grey face of the paralytic. winter and summer. That's what I'm always saying to that Rosicrucian there: take exercise. "because their mind are so impressionable. "It's bad for children.. Mr. you know. "What I mean is. too. it has an effect. Cotter?" she asked." he said. When children see things like that. Though I was angry with old Cotter for alluding to me as a child.." said my uncle. when I was a nipper every morning of my life I had a cold bath. Am I right. and I understood that it desired to confess something." said old Cotter.. And that's what stands to me now. Jack?" "That's my principle.. Mr. Cotter might take a pick of that leg mutton. Mr. The drapery consisted mainly of children's bootees and umbrellas. no. I felt that his little beady black eyes were examining me but I would not satisfy him by looking up from my plate. Why. not for me." said my aunt piously. But the grey face still followed me. He returned to his pipe and finally spat rudely into the grate. I puzzled my head to extract meaning from his unfinished sentences. I felt my soul receding into some pleasant and vicious region.. Tiresome old red-nosed imbecile! It was late when I fell asleep. It began to confess to me in a murmuring voice and I wondered why it smiled continually and why the lips were so moist with spittle." said old Cotter.." he added to my aunt. "No. "Let him learn to box his corner. and on ordinary days a notice used to hang in the 4
. "I wouldn't like children of mine. I drew the blankets over my head and tried to think of Christmas. "to have too much to say to a man like that." said old Cotter. The next morning after breakfast I went down to look at the little house in Great Britain Street. and there again I found it waiting for me. registered under the vague name of Drapery."God have mercy on his soul. My aunt brought the dish from the safe and put it on the table. Cotter?" asked my aunt. It was an unassuming shop..." "How do you mean. It murmured. Education is all very fine and large." I crammed my mouth with stirabout for fear I might give utterance to my anger. "it's bad for children. But then I remembered that it had died of paralysis and I felt that I too was smiling feebly as if to absolve the simoniac of his sin. Old Cotter looked at me for a while. "But why do you think it's not good for children.

His questions showed me how complex and mysterious were certain institutions of the Church which I had always regarded as the simplest acts. and I was not surprised when he told me that the fathers of the Church had written books as thick as the Post Office Directory and as closely printed as the law notices in the newspaper. was quite inefficacious. asking me what one should do in certain circumstances or whether such and such sins were mortal or venial or only imperfections. R. saying: Umbrellas Re-covered. nearly smothered in his great-coat. he used to smile pensively and nod his head. P. Sometimes he used to put me through the responses of the Mass which he had made me learn by heart. James Flynn (formerly of S. It may have been these constant showers of snuff which gave his ancient priestly garments their green faded look for the red handkerchief. with the snuff-stains of a week. Sometimes he had amused himself by putting difficult questions to me. I wished to go in and look at him but I had not the courage to knock. as it always was. He had told me stories about the catacombs and about Napoleon Bonaparte. I wondered at this for. The reading of the card persuaded me that he was dead and I was disturbed to find myself at check.window. When he smiled he used to uncover his big discoloured teeth and let his tongue lie upon his lower lip--a habit which had made me feel uneasy in the beginning of our acquaintance before I knew him well. now and then pushing huge pinches of snuff up each nostril alternately. I found it strange that neither I nor the day seemed in a mourning mood and I felt even annoyed at discovering in myself a sensation of freedom as if I had been freed from something by his death. A crape bouquet was tied to the doorknocker with ribbon. Had he not been dead I would have gone into the little dark room behind the shop to find him sitting in his arm-chair by the fire. with which he tried to brush away the fallen grains. blackened. I walked away slowly along the sunny side of the street. aged sixty-five years. The duties of the priest towards the Eucharist and towards the secrecy of the confessional seemed so grave to me that I wondered how anybody had ever found in himself the courage to undertake them. elucidating all these intricate questions. 5
. as I pattered. It was always I who emptied the packet into his black snuff-box for his hands trembled too much to allow him to do this without spilling half the snuff about the floor. Catherine's Church. Two poor women and a telegram boy were reading the card pinned on the crape. Even as he raised his large trembling hand to his nose little clouds of smoke dribbled through his fingers over the front of his coat. he had taught me a great deal. Often when I thought of this I could make no answer or only a very foolish and halting one upon which he used to smile and nod his head twice or thrice. reading all the theatrical advertisements in the shop-windows as I went. I. Meath Street). and. No notice was visible now for the shutters were up. as my uncle had said the night before. and he had explained to me the meaning of the different ceremonies of the Mass and of the different vestments worn by the priest. I also approached and read: July 1st. He had studied in the Irish college in Rome and he had taught me to pronounce Latin properly. 1895 The Rev. Perhaps my aunt would have given me a packet of High Toast for him and this present would have roused him from his stupefied doze.

his large hands loosely retaining a chalice. In the little room downstairs we found Eliza seated in his arm-chair in state. she filled out the sherry into the glasses and passed them to us. Then. My aunt waited until Eliza sighed and then said: "Ah. We crossed ourselves and came away. as it would have been unseemly to have shouted at her. at her sister's bidding. It was after sunset. I felt that I had been very far away. She seemed to be somewhat disappointed at my refusal and went over quietly to the sofa where she sat down behind her sister. I pretended to pray but I could not gather my thoughts because the old woman's mutterings distracted me.As I walked along in the sun I remembered old Cotter's words and tried to remember what had happened afterwards in the dream. and.. 6
. My aunt fingered the stem of her wine-glass before sipping a little. but the window-panes of the houses that looked to the west reflected the tawny gold of a great bank of clouds. proceeded to toil up the narrow staircase before us. The fancy came to me that the old priest was smiling as he lay there in his coffin. Nannie received us in the hall. I went in on tiptoe.. grey and massive. The old woman pointed upwards interrogatively and. in some land where the customs were strange--in Persia. her bowed head being scarcely above the level of the banister-rail. There he lay. The room through the lace end of the blind was suffused with dusky golden light amid which the candles looked like pale thin flames. His face was very truculent. I thought. he's gone to a better world. on my aunt's nodding. But I could not remember the end of the dream. He had been coffined. with black cavernous nostrils and circled by a scanty white fur. I groped my way towards my usual chair in the corner while Nannie went to the sideboard and brought out a decanter of sherry and some wine-glasses.. seeing that I hesitated to enter. My aunt went in and the old woman. There was a heavy odour in the room--the flowers. my aunt shook hands with her for all. At the first landing she stopped and beckoned us forward encouragingly towards the open door of the dead-room. Nannie gave the lead and we three knelt down at the foot of the bed. I remembered that I had noticed long velvet curtains and a swinging lamp of antique fashion. well. In the evening my aunt took me with her to visit the house of mourning. began to beckon to me again repeatedly with her hand. When we rose and went up to the head of the bed I saw that he was not smiling. No one spoke: we all gazed at the empty fireplace. I noticed how clumsily her skirt was hooked at the back and how the heels of her cloth boots were trodden down all to one side. But no. She set these on the table and invited us to take a little glass of wine. vested as for the altar. She pressed me to take some cream crackers also but I declined because I thought I would make too much noise eating them." Eliza sighed again and bowed her head in assent. solemn and copious.

" "And everything. she and me. All the work we had. Miss Flynn." said my aunt. "Oh." Eliza smoothed her dress over her knees. "And I'm sure now that he's gone to his eternal reward he won't forget you and all your kindness to him."Did he. indeed. quite peacefully.?" "Father O'Rourke was in with him a Tuesday and anointed him and prepared him and all. poor James!" she said. He had a beautiful death. "You couldn't tell when the breath went out of him. Only for Father O'Rourke I don't know what we'd done at all." "He looks quite resigned. No one would think he'd make such a beautiful corpse." said my aunt. as poor as we are--we wouldn't see him want anything while he was in it. peacefully?" she asked. God be praised. looking at her." said Eliza. ma'am. She said he just looked as if he was asleep." said Eliza. that's true." said my aunt.." "He knew then?" "He was quite resigned. She sipped a little more from her glass and said: "Well. "There's poor Nannie. "Ah.. I must say. "when all is said and done." 7
. It was him brought us all them flowers and them two candlesticks out of the chapel and wrote out the notice for the Freeman's General and took charge of all the papers for the cemetery and poor James's insurance." "Indeed. "God knows we done all we could. at any rate it must be a great comfort for you to know that you did all you could for him. You were both very kind to him." Nannie had leaned her head against the sofa-pillow and seemed about to fall asleep." "Yes. "Ah.." "Wasn't that good of him?" said my aunt Eliza closed her eyes and shook her head slowly. no friends that a body can trust.. he looked that peaceful and resigned. "she's wore out. there's no friends like the old friends. getting in the woman to wash him and then laying him out and then the coffin and then arranging about the Mass in the chapel. "That's what the woman we had in to wash him said." she said.

" "Yes. I know he's gone and all to that. that it contained nothing. And then his life was. Whenever I'd bring in his soup to him there I'd find him with his breviary fallen to the floor. I mean. they say it was all right. 8
. They say it was the boy's fault. you might say. You wouldn't hear him in the house any more than now. I noticed there was something queer coming over him latterly..." Eliza nodded. poor James!" said Eliza... Then she put it back again in her pocket and gazed into the empty grate for some time without speaking. Eliza seemed to have fallen into a deep revery. But poor James was so nervous. sending him his snuff." She laid a finger against her nose and frowned: then she continued: "But still and all he kept on saying that before the summer was over he'd go out for a drive one fine day just to see the old house again where we were all born down in Irishtown and take me and Nannie with him.. lying back in the chair and his mouth open." she said.." said my aunt.. "I know that... Of course. "He was no great trouble to us.. That was the beginning of it. Eliza took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes with it.. ma'am." said my aunt... You could see that. them with the rheumatic wheels. He had his mind set on that. at Johnny Rush's over the way there and drive out the three of us together of a Sunday evening. poor James!" She stopped." "It's when it's all over that you'll miss him.. But still. "He was a disappointed man." A silence took possession of the little room and. under cover of it. Still."Ah." said Eliza. Ah. "I won't be bringing him in his cup of beef-tea any me. "The duties of the priesthood was too much for him. as if she were communing with the past and then said shrewdly: "Mind you. "I heard something.. God be merciful to him!" "And was that it?" said my aunt. crossed. Poor James!" "The Lord have mercy on his soul!" said my aunt. I approached the table and tasted my sherry and then returned quietly to my chair in the comer. We waited respectfully for her to break the silence: and after a long pause she said slowly: "It was that chalice he broke. for the day cheap--he said. "He was too scrupulous always. If we could only get one of them new-fangled carriages that makes no noise that Father O'Rourke told him about. nor you.

differences of culture and constitution were waived. I was one. "After that he began to mope by himself. His parents went to eight-o'clock mass every morning in Gardiner Street and the peaceful odour of Mrs. held the loft of the stable while we tried to carry it by storm. that made them think that there was something gone wrong with him." she said. But he played too fiercely for us who were younger and more timid. solemn and truculent in death. A spirit of unruliness diffused itself among us and. beating a tin with his fist and yelling: "Ya! yaka. or we fought a pitched battle on the grass. however well we fought. I liked better some American detective stories which were traversed from time to time 9
.. an old tea-cosy on his head. So one night he was wanted for to go on a call and they couldn't find him anywhere."
AN ENCOUNTER IT WAS Joe Dillon who introduced the Wild West to us. talking to no one and wandering about by himself. The adventures related in the literature of the Wild West were remote from my nature but. the reluctant Indians who were afraid to seem studious or lacking in robustness. He looked like some kind of an Indian when he capered round the garden. when they saw that. Every evening after school we met in his back garden and arranged Indian battles. Pluck and The Halfpenny Marvel. we never won siege or battle and all our bouts ended with Joe Dillon's war dance of victory. yaka!" Everyone was incredulous when it was reported that he had a vocation for the priesthood.. sitting up by himself in the dark in his confession-box."That affected his mind. They looked high up and low down.. So then the clerk suggested to try the chapel.. He and his fat young brother Leo. I too listened. some boldly.. But. some in jest and some almost in fear: and of the number of these latter.. wide-awake and laughing-like softly to himself?" She stopped suddenly as if to listen. of course. an idle chalice on his breast. Nevertheless it was true. Dillon was prevalent in the hall of the house. We banded ourselves together. He had a little library made up of old numbers of The Union Jack. at least. So then they got the keys and opened the chapel and the clerk and Father O'Rourke and another priest that was there brought in a light for to look for him. under its influence. yaka. and still they couldn't see a sight of him anywhere. So then... And what do you think but there he was. but there was no sound in the house: and I knew that the old priest was lying still in his coffin as we had seen him. they opened doors of escape. the idler. Eliza resumed: "Wide-awake and laughing-like to himself..

I advise you strongly. then to cross in the ferryboat and walk out to see the Pigeon House. The summer holidays were near at hand when I made up my mind to break out of the weariness of school-life for one day at least. Father Butler turned over the pages. and Mahony said: "Till tomorrow. But when the restraining influence of the school was at a distance I began to hunger again for wild sensations. But real adventures. We were reassured: and I brought the first stage of the plot to an end by collecting sixpence from the other two. Dillon. up! 'Hardly had the day'. Dillon. for the escape which those chronicles of disorder alone seemed to offer me. The man who wrote it. mates!" That night I slept badly." This rebuke during the sober hours of school paled much of the glory of the Wild West for me and the confused puffy face of Leo Dillon awakened one of my consciences.. Mahony's big sister was to write an excuse for him and Leo Dillon was to tell his brother to say he was sick. Go on! What day? 'Hardly had the day dawned'.. One day when Father Butler was hearing the four pages of Roman History clumsy Leo Dillon was discovered with a copy of The Halfpenny Marvel. We shook hands.by unkempt fierce and beautiful girls. do not happen to people who remain at home: they must be sought abroad. laughing. reading such stuff. We were to meet at ten in the morning on the Canal Bridge.. It was a mild sunny morning in the first week of June. I reflected. Have you studied it? What have you there in your pocket?" Everyone's heart palpitated as Leo Dillon handed up the paper and everyone assumed an innocent face. The mimic warfare of the evening became at last as wearisome to me as the routine of school in the morning because I wanted real adventures to happen to myself... very sensibly. "This page or this page? This page Now. educated. Leo Dillon was afraid we might meet Father Butler or someone out of the college.. When we were making the last arrangements on the eve we were all vaguely excited. I hid my books in the long grass near the ashpit at the end of the garden where nobody ever came and hurried along the canal bank.. was some wretched fellow who writes these things for a drink. what would Father Butler be doing out at the Pigeon House.. Each of us saved up sixpence. In the morning I was firstcomer to the bridge as I lived nearest. at the same time showing them my own sixpence. "The Apache Chief! Is this what you read instead of studying your Roman History? Let me not find any more of this wretched stuff in this college. We arranged to go along the Wharf Road until we came to the ships. Though there was nothing wrong in these stories and though their intention was sometimes literary they were circulated secretly at school. "What is this rubbish?" he said. I suppose. I could understand it if you were. frowning. I'm surprised at boys like you. I sat up on the coping of the bridge admiring my frail canvas shoes which I had 10
. With Leo Dillon and a boy named Mahony I planned a day's miching. but Mahony asked. get at your work or. National School boys. Now.

who was dark-complexioned. I was very happy. Mahony began to play the Indian as soon as we were out of public sight. watching the working of cranes and engines and often being shouted at for our immobility by the drivers of groaning carts. We spent a long time walking about the noisy streets flanked by high stone walls. wore the silver badge of a cricket club in his cap. smiling. I knew Fatty'd funk it. "And so much the better for us--a bob and a tanner instead of a bob. he proposed that we should charge them." said Mahony. at last. While we were waiting he brought out the catapult which bulged from his inner pocket and explained some improvements which he had made in it. I asked him why he had brought it and he told me he had brought it to have some gas with the birds. I objected that the boys were too small and so we walked on. We pleased ourselves with the spectacle of Dublin's commerce--the barges signalled from far away by their curls of woolly smoke.diligently pipeclayed overnight and watching the docile horses pulling a tramload of business people up the hill. He came up the hill. 11
.?" I said. to fling stones at us. the geography which had been scantily dosed to me at school gradually taking substance under my eyes. "That's forfeit. and spoke of Father Butler as Old Bunser. When I had been sitting there for five or ten minutes I saw Mahony's grey suit approaching. we bought two big currant buns and sat down to eat them on some metal piping beside the river. the ragged troop screaming after us: "Swaddlers! Swaddlers!" thinking that we were Protestants because Mahony. jumped down and said: "Come along. All the branches of the tall trees which lined the mall were gay with little light green leaves and the sunlight slanted through them on to the water. We waited on for a quarter of an hour more but still there was no sign of Leo Dillon. Mahony said it would be right skit to run away to sea on one of those big ships and even I. When we came to the Smoothing Iron we arranged a siege." We walked along the North Strand Road till we came to the Vitriol Works and then turned to the right along the Wharf Road... We came then near the river. He chased a crowd of ragged girls. but it was a failure because you must have at least three. saw. when two ragged boys began. looking at the high masts. and clambered up beside me on the bridge. Mahony." "And his sixpence. We revenged ourselves on Leo Dillon by saying what a funk he was and guessing how many he would get at three o'clock from Mr. the big white sailing-vessel which was being discharged on the opposite quay. out of chivalry. the brown fishing fleet beyond Ringsend. Mahony used slang freely. School and home seemed to recede from us and their influences upon us seemed to wane. The granite stone of the bridge was beginning to be warm and I began to pat it with my hands in time to an air in my head. Ryan. It was noon when we reached the quays and as all the labourers seemed to be eating their lunches. or imagined. brandishing his unloaded catapult and.

saying that it would be a very hot summer and adding that the seasons had changed gready since he was a boy--a long time ago. Some bystander said that she was a Norwegian vessel. I came back and examined the foreign sailors to see had any of them green eyes for I had some confused notion. The day had grown sultry.. We had to be home before four o'clock lest our adventure should be discovered. We could find no dairy and so we went into a huckster's shop and bought a bottle of raspberry lemonade each. Mahony looked regretfully at his catapult and I had to suggest going home by train before he regained any cheerfulness. failing to do so. When we landed we watched the discharging of the graceful threemaster which we had observed from the other quay. Refreshed by this. He came along by the bank slowly. He began to talk of the weather. but once during the short voyage our eyes met and we laughed. We both felt rather tired and when we reached the field we made at once for a sloping bank over the ridge of which we could see the Dodder. He seemed to be fairly old for his moustache was ashen-grey. and in the windows of the grocers' shops musty biscuits lay bleaching. Mahony chased a cat down a lane. He walked with one hand upon his hip and in the other hand he held a stick with which he tapped the turf lightly. When he passed at our feet he glanced up at us quickly and then continued his way.We crossed the Liffey in the ferryboat. It was too late and we were too tired to carry out our project of visiting the Pigeon House. We bought some biscuits and chocolate which we ate sedulously as we wandered through the squalid streets where the families of the fishermen live. I watched him lazily as I chewed one of those green stems on which girls tell fortunes. We were serious to the point of solemnity. The sun went in behind some clouds and left us to our jaded thoughts and the crumbs of our provisions. I went to the stern and tried to decipher the legend upon it but.. He was shabbily dressed in a suit of greenish-black and wore what we used to call a jerry hat with a high crown.. There was nobody but ourselves in the field. but the cat escaped into a wide field. so slowly that I thought he was looking for something in the grass. always tapping the ground with his stick. The only sailor whose eyes could have been called green was a tall man who amused the crowd on the quay by calling out cheerfully every time the planks fell: "All right! All right!" When we were tired of this sight we wandered slowly into Ringsend. He said that the happiest time of one's life was undoubtedly one's schoolboy days and that he would give anything to be young again. He walked towards us very slowly. While he expressed these sentiments which bored us a little 12
. When we had lain on the bank for some time without speaking I saw a man approaching from the far end of the field. We followed him with our eyes and saw that when he had gone on for perhaps fifty paces he turned about and began to retrace his steps. paying our toll to be transported in the company of two labourers and a little Jew with a bag. The sailors' eyes were blue and grey and even black. We answered him and he sat down beside us on the slope slowly and with great care. He stopped when he came level with us and bade us goodday.

a few minutes. I pretended that I had read every book he mentioned so that in the end he said: "Ah. "he is different. I can see you are a bookworm like myself." Mahony asked why couldn't boys read them--a question which agitated and pained me because I was afraid the man would think I was as stupid as Mahony. At times he spoke as if he were simply alluding to some fact that everybody knew. Mahony mentioned lightly that he had three totties. But I disliked the words in his mouth and I wondered why he shivered once or twice as if he feared something or felt a sudden chill. however. In my heart I thought that what he said about boys and sweethearts was reasonable. I continued to gaze towards the foot of the slope. I saw him walking slowly away from us towards the near end of the field." said Mahony pertly to the man. only smiled. he goes in for games. He gave me the impression that he was repeating something which he had learned by heart or that. He stood up slowly. I saw that he had great gaps in his mouth between his yellow teeth. We remained silent when he had gone." He said he had all Sir Walter Scott's works and all Lord Lytton's works at home and never tired of reading them. magnetised by some words of his own speech. saying that he had to leave us for a minute or so. He repeated his phrases over and over again. I answered that I had none. The man asked me how many I had. pointing to Mahony who was regarding us with open eyes. varying them and surrounding them with his monotonous voice. Then he asked us which of us had the most sweethearts. He began to speak to us about girls." His attitude on this point struck me as strangely liberal in a man of his age. He asked us whether we had read the poetry of Thomas Moore or the works of Sir Walter Scott and Lord Lytton. so much as looking at a nice young girl." he said." he said. listening to him. Now. After a silence of a few minutes I heard Mahony exclaim: "I say! Look what he's doing!" 13
. There was nothing he liked. I was silent. "there were some of Lord Lytton's works which boys couldn't read. and at times he lowered his voice and spoke mysteriously as if he were telling us something secret which he did not wish others to overhear. he said. and. He did not believe me and said he was sure I must have one. Then he began to talk of school and of books. at her nice white hands and her beautiful soft hair.we kept silent. without changing the direction of my gaze. "Every boy. his mind was slowly circling round and round in the same orbit. "Of course. As he proceeded I noticed that his accent was good. After a long while his monologue paused. "has a little sweetheart." he added. saying what nice soft hair they had and how soft their hands were and how all girls were not so good as they seemed to be if one only knew. "how many have you yourself?" The man smiled as before and said that when he was our age he had lots of sweethearts. The man. "Tell us.

I had to call the name again before Mahony saw me 14
.. And if a boy had a girl for a sweetheart and told lies about it then he would give him such a whipping as no boy ever got in this world. After an interval the man spoke to me. but I remained silent. sprang up and pursued her across the field. When I reached the top of the slope I turned round and. The man continued his monologue. Desisting from this. saying that I was obliged to go. I was surprised at this sentiment and involuntarily glanced up at his face. Then I stood up abruptly. He would love that. His mind. I was still considering whether I would go away or not when the man came back and sat down beside us again. as he led me monotonously through the mystery. better than anything in this world. He described to me how he would whip such a boy as if he were unfolding some elaborate mystery. grew almost affectionate and seemed to plead with me that I should understand him. As I did so I met the gaze of a pair of bottle-green eyes peering at me from under a twitching forehead. When a boy was rough and unruly there was nothing would do him any good but a good sound whipping. aimlessly. catching sight of the cat which had escaped him. I turned my eyes away again. He said that my friend was a very rough boy and asked did he get whipped often at school. I waited till his monologue paused again. The cat escaped once more and Mahony began to throw stones at the wall she had escaladed. He began to speak on the subject of chastising boys. and that would teach him not to be talking to girls. He said that if ever he found a boy talking to girls or having a girl for a sweetheart he would whip him and whip him. He's a queer old josser!" "In case he asks us for our names. and his voice. he began to wander about the far end of the field." I said "let you be Murphy and I'll be Smith. Hardly had he sat down when Mahony..As I neither answered nor raised my eyes Mahony exclaimed again: "I say. I was going to reply indignantly that we were not National School boys to be whipped. The man and I watched the chase." We said nothing further to each other. He said that there was nothing in this world he would like so well as that. without looking at him. He seemed to have forgotten his recent liberalism. seemed to circle slowly round and round its new centre. called loudly across the field: "Murphy!" My voice had an accent of forced bravery in it and I was ashamed of my paltry stratagem. I went up the slope calmly but my heart was beating quickly with fear that he would seize me by the ankles. as if magnetised again by his speech. Lest I should betray my agitation I delayed a few moments pretending to fix my shoe properly and then. A slap on the hand or a box on the ear was no good: what he wanted was to get a nice warm whipping. as he called it. he said. He said that when boys were that kind they ought to be whipped and well whipped. I bade him good-day.

Her dress swung as she moved her body and the soft rope of her hair tossed from side to side. When we returned to the street light from the kitchen windows had filled the areas. We waited to see whether she would remain or go in and. her figure defined by the light from the half-opened door. I liked the last best because its leaves were yellow. The wild garden behind the house contained a central apple-tree and a few straggling bushes under one of which I found the late tenant's rusty bicycle-pump. seized my books and followed her. we left our shadow and walked up to Mangan's steps resignedly. When we met in the street the houses had grown sombre. An uninhabited house of two storeys stood at the blind end.and hallooed in answer. if she remained. If my uncle was seen turning the corner we hid in the shadow until we had seen him safely housed. He had been a very charitable priest. for in my heart I had always despised him a little. detached from its neighbours in a square ground The other houses of the street. When the short days of winter came dusk fell before we had well eaten our dinners. the pages of which were curled and damp: The Abbot. in his will he had left all his money to institutions and the furniture of his house to his sister. by Walter Scott. musty from having been long enclosed. How my heart beat as he came running across the field to me! He ran as if to bring me aid. Or if Mangan's sister came out on the doorstep to call her brother in to his tea we watched her from our shadow peer up and down the street. conscious of decent lives within them. gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces. The career of our play brought us through the dark muddy lanes behind the houses where we ran the gauntlet of the rough tribes from the cottages. a priest. I kept her brown figure 15
. hung in all the rooms. to the dark odorous stables where a coachman smoothed and combed the horse or shook music from the buckled harness. When she came out on the doorstep my heart leaped. Our shouts echoed in the silent street. She was waiting for us.
ARABY NORTH RICHMOND STREET being blind. had died in the back drawing-room. And I was penitent. Her brother always teased her before he obeyed and I stood by the railings looking at her. I ran to the hall. The former tenant of our house. The blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so that I could not be seen. to the back doors of the dark dripping gardens where odours arose from the ashpits. The cold air stung us and we played till our bodies glowed. Among these I found a few paper-covered books. The space of sky above us was the colour of ever-changing violet and towards it the lamps of the street lifted their feeble lanterns. and the waste room behind the kitchen was littered with old useless papers. Every morning I lay on the floor in the front parlour watching her door. Air. was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers' School set the boys free. The Devout Communicant and The Memoirs of Vidocq.

the fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds. She asked me was I going to Araby. who sang a come-all-you about O'Donovan Rossa. I had never spoken to her. One evening I went into the back drawing-room in which the priest had died. the shrill litanies of shop-boys who stood on guard by the barrels of pigs' cheeks." I said. how I could tell her of my confused adoration. "And why can't you?" I asked. I forgot whether I answered yes or no. except for a few casual words. It fell over one side of her dress and caught the white border of a petticoat.always in my eye and. I thought little of the future. This happened morning after morning. when we came near the point at which our ways diverged. At last she spoke to me. I pressed the palms of my hands together until they trembled. I quickened my pace and passed her. All my senses seemed to desire to veil themselves and. just visible as she stood at ease. or a ballad about the troubles in our native land. jostled by drunken men and bargaining women. Her image accompanied me even in places the most hostile to romance. lit up the hand upon the railing. she said. murmuring: "O love! O love!" many times. "It's well for you. On Saturday evenings when my aunt went marketing I had to go to carry some of the parcels. bowing her head towards me. The light from the lamp opposite our door caught the white curve of her neck. she said she would love to go. It would be a splendid bazaar. feeling that I was about to slip from them. When she addressed the first words to me I was so confused that I did not know what to answer. amid the curses of labourers. the nasal chanting of street-singers. "I will bring you something. because there would be a retreat that week in her convent." she said. and yet her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood. Her name sprang to my lips at moments in strange prayers and praises which I myself did not understand. I was thankful that I could see so little. While she spoke she turned a silver bracelet round and round her wrist. She held one of the spikes. I did not know whether I would ever speak to her or not or. Her brother and two other boys were fighting for their caps and I was alone at the railings. if I spoke to her. "If I go. It was a dark rainy evening and there was no sound in the house. lit up her hair that rested there and. Through one of the broken panes I heard the rain impinge upon the earth. We walked through the flaring streets. My eyes were often full of tears (I could not tell why) and at times a flood from my heart seemed to pour itself out into my bosom. She could not go. These noises converged in a single sensation of life for me: I imagined that I bore my chalice safely through a throng of foes. But my body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires. falling. Some distant lamp or lighted window gleamed below me." What innumerable follies laid waste my waking and sleeping thoughts 16
.

clenching my fists. He was fussing at the hallstand. I left the room. a pawnbroker's widow. When I came downstairs again I found Mrs." At nine o'clock I heard my uncle's latchkey in the halldoor. On Saturday morning I reminded my uncle that I wished to go to the bazaar in the evening. looking for the hat-brush. I heard him talking to himself and heard the hallstand rocking when it had received the weight of his overcoat. at the hand upon the railings and at the border below the dress. seemed to me child's play. he hoped I was not beginning to idle. 17
. I may have stood there for an hour. now that it stood between me and my desire. I left the house in bad humour and walked slowly towards the school." As he was in the hall I could not go into the front parlour and lie at the window.after that evening! I wished to annihilate the tedious intervening days. My aunt said: "I'm afraid you may put off your bazaar for this night of Our Lord. Still it was early. seeing nothing but the brown-clad figure cast by my imagination. but it was after eight o'clock and she did not like to be out late as the night air was bad for her. Mrs. who collected used stamps for some pious purpose. leaning my forehead against the cool glass. She was an old garrulous woman. I answered few questions in class. I chafed against the work of school. and answered me curtly: "Yes. I sat staring at the clock for some time and when its ticking began to irritate me." he said. I had hardly any patience with the serious work of life which. The air was pitilessly raw and already my heart misgave me. I could not call my wandering thoughts together. My aunt was surprised and hoped it was not some Freemason affair. boy. When I came home to dinner my uncle had not yet been home. I had to endure the gossip of the tea-table. He had forgotten. From the front window I saw my companions playing below in the street. At night in my bedroom and by day in the classroom her image came between me and the page I strove to read. The syllables of the word Araby were called to me through the silence in which my soul luxuriated and cast an Eastern enchantment over me. Their cries reached me weakened and indistinct and. When she had gone I began to walk up and down the room. I mounted the staircase and gained the upper part of the house. ugly monotonous child's play. Mercer sitting at the fire. I could interpret these signs. touched discreetly by the lamplight at the curved neck. The high cold empty gloomy rooms liberated me and I went from room to room singing. Mercer stood up to go: she was sorry she couldn't wait any longer. I asked for leave to go to the bazaar on Saturday night. The meal was prolonged beyond an hour and still my uncle did not come. I looked over at the dark house where she lived. I know. "The people are in bed and after their first sleep now. When he was midway through his dinner I asked him to give me the money to go to the bazaar. I watched my master's face pass from amiability to sternness.

there's a. At the door of the stall a young lady was talking and laughing with two young gentlemen. I recognised a silence like that which pervades a church after a service. two men were counting money on a salver." He asked me where I was going and. In front of me was a large building which displayed the magical name." My uncle said he was very sorry he had forgotten. saying that it was a special train for the bazaar. I passed in quickly through a turnstile. "O. Remembering with difficulty why I had come I went over to one of the stalls and examined porcelain vases and flowered tea-sets. I found myself in a big hall girdled at half its height by a gallery. I heard her. He said he believed in the old saying: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. fearing that the bazaar would be closed. Before a curtain. fib!" Observing me the young lady came over and asked me did I wish to buy 18
. It crept onward among ruinous house and over the twinkling river. I never said such a thing!" "O. but you did!" "O. when I had told him a second time he asked me did I know The Arab's Farewell to his Steed." "O.. I could not find any sixpenny entrance and. but the porters moved them back. I remained alone in the bare carriage. The sight of the streets thronged with buyers and glaring with gas recalled to me the purpose of my journey.I did not smile. Nearly all the stalls were closed and the greater part of the hall was in darkness. In a few minutes the train drew up beside an improvised wooden platform. When I left the kitchen he was about to recite the opening lines of the piece to my aunt. I remarked their English accents and listened vaguely to their conversation. After an intolerable delay the train moved out of the station slowly.. handing a shilling to a weary-looking man. but I didn't!" "Didn't she say that?" "Yes. At Westland Row Station a crowd of people pressed to the carriage doors. I passed out on to the road and saw by the lighted dial of a clock that it was ten minutes to ten. My aunt said to him energetically: "Can't you give him the money and let him go? You've kept him late enough as it is. I took my seat in a third-class carriage of a deserted train. I held a florin tightly in my hand as I strode down Buckingham Street towards the station. I walked into the centre of the bazaar timidly. A few people were gathered about the stalls which were still open. over which the words Cafe Chantant were written in coloured lamps. I listened to the fall of the coins.

the Waters. I allowed the two pennies to fall against the sixpence in my pocket. however. Few people passed. Tizzie Dunn was dead." The young lady changed the position of one of the vases and went back to the two young men. but usually little Keogh used to keep nix and call out when he saw her father coming. I heard a voice call from one end of the gallery that the light was out. And yet during all those years she had never found out the name of the 19
. Now she was going to go away like the others. reviewing all its familiar objects which she had dusted once a week for so many years. to leave her home. I looked humbly at the great jars that stood like eastern guards at either side of the dark entrance to the stall and murmured: "No. Her father used often to hunt them in out of the field with his blackthorn stick. The children of the avenue used to play together in that field--the Devines. Then a man from Belfast bought the field and built houses in it--not like their little brown houses but bright brick houses with shining roofs. though I knew my stay was useless. her mother was alive. Her father was not so bad then. wondering where on earth all the dust came from. too. the Dunns. Everything changes. she and her brothers and sisters were all grown up her mother was dead.anything. she and her brothers and sisters. Perhaps she would never see again those familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided. thank you. They began to talk of the same subject. Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her nostrils was the odour of dusty cretonne. and besides. to make my interest in her wares seem the more real. The upper part of the hall was now completely dark. That was a long time ago. and the Waters had gone back to England. Ernest. One time there used to be a field there in which they used to play every evening with other people's children. never played: he was too grown up. Once or twice the young lady glanced at me over her shoulder. She was tired. I lingered before her stall. little Keogh the cripple. and my eyes burned with anguish and anger. Home! She looked round the room. Then I turned away slowly and walked down the middle of the bazaar. The man out of the last house passed on his way home. Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity. she seemed to have spoken to me out of a sense of duty. Still they seemed to have been rather happy then. The tone of her voice was not encouraging.
EVELINE SHE sat at the window watching the evening invade the avenue. she heard his footsteps clacking along the concrete pavement and afterwards crunching on the cinder path before the new red houses.

Besides. the invariable squabble for money on Saturday nights had begun to weary her unspeakably. In the end he would give her the money and ask her had she any intention of buying Sunday's dinner. though she was over nineteen. "Miss Hill.priest whose yellowing photograph hung on the wall above the broken harmonium beside the coloured print of the promises made to Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque. that she had no head. She knew it was that that had given her the palpitations. Miss Gavan would be glad. She had hard work to keep the house together and to see that the two young children who had been left to her charge went to school regularly and got their meals regularly. Then she had to rush out as quickly as she could and do her marketing. she had those whom she had known all her life about her." She would not cry many tears at leaving the Stores. in a distant unknown country. Ernest was dead and Harry. for he was usually fairly bad on Saturday night. He said she used to squander the money. both in the house and at business. that he wasn't going to give her his hard-earned money to throw about the streets. holding her black leather purse tightly in her hand as she elbowed her way through the crowds and returning home late under her load of provisions. manly. who was in the church decorating business. to leave her home. Even now. it would not be like that. She was to go away with him by the night-boat to be his wife and to live with him in Buenos Ayres where he had a home 20
. was nearly always down somewhere in the country. But in her new home. Frank was very kind. What would they say of her in the Stores when they found out that she had run away with a fellow? Say she was a fool. People would treat her with respect then. She always gave her entire wages--seven shillings--and Harry always sent up what he could but the trouble was to get any money from her father. In her home anyway she had shelter and food. Miss Hill. she sometimes felt herself in danger of her father's violence. especially whenever there were people listening. It was hard work--a hard life--but now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly undesirable life. Then she would be married--she. She had always had an edge on her. because she was a girl but latterly he had begun to threaten her and say what he would do to her only for her dead mother's sake. please. When they were growing up he had never gone for her like he used to go for Harry and Ernest. And no she had nobody to protect her. Whenever he showed the photograph to a visitor her father used to pass it with a casual word: "He is in Melbourne now. O course she had to work hard. She was about to explore another life with Frank. and much more. and her place would be filled up by advertisement. perhaps. He had been a school friend of her father. Eveline. Was that wise? She tried to weigh each side of the question. open-hearted." She had consented to go away. don't you see these ladies are waiting?" "Look lively. She would not be treated as her mother had been.

Ernest had been her favourite but she liked Harry too. She remembered her father putting on her mothers bonnet to make the children laugh. He was standing at the gate. they had all gone for a picnic to the Hill of Howth. when she had been laid up for a day. Then they had come to know each other.waiting for her. her promise to keep the home together as long as she could. Her time was running out but she continued to sit by the window. he said. when their mother was alive. the other was to her father. Another day. The organ-player had been ordered to go away and given sixpence. People knew that they were courting and. One was to Harry. He had fallen on his feet in Buenos Ayres. she noticed. he would miss her. Sometimes he could be very nice. Her father was becoming old lately. She remembered her father strutting back into the sickroom saying: "Damned Italians! coming over here!" As she mused the pitiful vision of her mother's life laid its spell on the very quick of her being--that life of commonplace sacrifices closing in final craziness. One day he had quarrelled with Frank and after that she had to meet her lover secretly. He had sailed through the Straits of Magellan and he told her stories of the terrible Patagonians. It seemed a few weeks ago. He had tales of distant countries. he had read her out a ghost story and made toast for her at the fire. He told her the names of the ships he had been on and the names of the different services. she always felt pleasantly confused. leaning her head against the window curtain." he said. The evening deepened in the avenue. He used to call her Poppens out of fun. He was awfully fond of music and sang a little. inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne. she was again in the close dark room at the other side of the hall and outside she heard a melancholy air of Italy. Of course. She trembled as she heard again her mother's voice saying constantly with foolish insistence: 21
. First of all it had been an excitement for her to have a fellow and then she had begun to like him. "I know these sailor chaps. Not long before. He took her to see The Bohemian Girl and she felt elated as she sat in an unaccustomed part of the theatre with him. he was lodging in a house on the main road where she used to visit. He had started as a deck boy at a pound a month on a ship of the Allan Line going out to Canada. when he sang about the lass that loves a sailor. his peaked cap pushed back on his head and his hair tumbled forward over a face of bronze. She knew the air Strange that it should come that very night to remind her of the promise to her mother. Down far in the avenue she could hear a street organ playing. and had come over to the old country just for a holiday. The white of two letters in her lap grew indistinct. He used to meet her outside the Stores every evening and see her home. How well she remembered the first time she had seen him. her father had found out the affair and had forbidden her to have anything to say to him. She remembered the last night of her mother's illness.

Amid the seas she sent a cry of anguish. Their sympathy. 22
. saying something about the passage over and over again. to show her what was her duty. "Come!" No! No! No! It was impossible. lying in beside the quay wall. At the crest of the hill at Inchicore sightseers had gathered in clumps to watch the cars careering homeward and through this channel of poverty and inaction the Continent sped its wealth and industry. She felt him seize her hand: "Come!" All the seas of the world tumbled about her heart. He would give her life.
AFTER THE RACE THE cars came scudding in towards Dublin. Now and again the clumps of people raised the cheer of the gratefully oppressed. Why should she be unhappy? She had a right to happiness. A bell clanged upon her heart. running evenly like pellets in the groove of the Naas Road. Frank would take her in his arms. perhaps love. was for the blue cars--the cars of their friends. too. The station was full of soldiers with brown baggages. She gripped with both hands at the iron railing. Could she still draw back after all he had done for her? Her distress awoke a nausea in her body and she kept moving her lips in silent fervent prayer. she prayed to God to direct her. He held her hand and she knew that he was speaking to her. She felt her cheek pale and cold and. She set her white face to him. Her hands clutched the iron in frenzy. She stood among the swaying crowd in the station at the North Wall. He would save her. She answered nothing. He was shouted at to go on but he still called to her."Derevaun Seraun! Derevaun Seraun!" She stood up in a sudden impulse of terror. Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition. Their passage had been booked. like a helpless animal. The boat blew a long mournful whistle into the mist. If she went. passive. He was drawing her into them: he would drown her. however. the French. Through the wide doors of the sheds she caught a glimpse of the black mass of the boat. out of a maze of distress. tomorrow she would be on the sea with Frank. with illumined portholes. fold her in his arms. steaming towards Buenos Ayres. Escape! She must escape! Frank would save her. "Eveline! Evvy!" He rushed beyond the barrier and called to her to follow. But she wanted to live.

He had sent his son to England to be educated in a big Catholic college and had afterwards sent him to Dublin University to study law. had modified his views early. however. Jimmy did not study very earnestly and took to bad courses for a while. was too excited to be genuinely happy. His father. too. In one of these trimly built cars was a party of four young men whose spirits seemed to be at present well above the level of successful Gallicism: in fact. remonstrative. They were Charles Segouin. a young electrician of Canadian birth. Besides Villona's humming would confuse anybody. Decidedly Villona was in excellent spirits. He had money and he was popular. and besides he was an optimist by nature. He had made his money as a butcher in Kingstown and by opening shops in Dublin and in the suburbs he had made his money many times over. This was not altogether pleasant for him. Villona was entertaining also--a brilliant pianist--but. and he divided his time curiously between musical and motoring circles. Then he had been sent for a term to Cambridge to see a little life. with a soft. moreover. Jimmy and his Hungarian friend sat behind. were virtual victors. The two cousins sat on the front seat. as he had nearly always to make a deft guess at the meaning and shout back a suitable answer in the face of a high wind. received a double measure of welcome as it topped the crest of the hill and each cheer of welcome was acknowledged with smiles and nods by those in the car. The fourth member of the party. unfortunately. They were not much more than acquaintances as yet but Jimmy found great pleasure in the society of one who had seen so much of the world and was reputed to own some of the biggest hotels in France. who had begun life as an advanced Nationalist. Andre Riviere. had paid his bills and brought him home. Villona was in good humour because he had had a very satisfactory luncheon. Each blue car. It was at Cambridge that he had met Segouin. very poor. the owner of the car. Segouin was in good humour because he had unexpectedly received some orders in advance (he was about to start a motor establishment in Paris) and Riviere was in good humour because he was to be appointed manager of the establishment. He was about twenty-six years of age. they had been placed second and third and the driver of the winning German car was reported a Belgian. 23
. these four young men were almost hilarious. light brown moustache and rather innocent-looking grey eyes. Such a person (as his father agreed) was well worth knowing.The French. Their team had finished solidly. therefore. The car ran on merrily with its cargo of hilarious youth. but covertly proud of the excess. these two young men (who were cousins) were also in good humour because of the success of the French cars. he kept up a deep bass hum of melody for miles of the road The Frenchmen flung their laughter and light words over their shoulders and often Jimmy had to strain forward to catch the quick phrase. He had also been fortunate enough to secure some of the police contracts and in the end he had become rich enough to be alluded to in the Dublin newspapers as a merchant prince. His father. a huge Hungarian named Villona and a neatly groomed young man named Doyle. the noise of the car. even if he had not been the charming companion he was.

Rapid motion through space elates one; so does notoriety; so does the possession of money. These were three good reasons for Jimmy's excitement. He had been seen by many of his friends that day in the company of these Continentals. At the control Segouin had presented him to one of the French competitors and, in answer to his confused murmur of compliment, the swarthy face of the driver had disclosed a line of shining white teeth. It was pleasant after that honour to return to the profane world of spectators amid nudges and significant looks. Then as to money--he really had a great sum under his control. Segouin, perhaps, would not think it a great sum but Jimmy who, in spite of temporary errors, was at heart the inheritor of solid instincts knew well with what difficulty it had been got together. This knowledge had previously kept his bills within the limits of reasonable recklessness, and if he had been so conscious of the labour latent in money when there had been question merely of some freak of the higher intelligence, how much more so now when he was about to stake the greater part of his substance! It was a serious thing for him. Of course, the investment was a good one and Segouin had managed to give the impression that it was by a favour of friendship the mite of Irish money was to be included in the capital of the concern. Jimmy had a respect for his father's shrewdness in business matters and in this case it had been his father who had first suggested the investment; money to be made in the motor business, pots of money. Moreover Segouin had the unmistakable air of wealth. Jimmy set out to translate into days' work that lordly car in which he sat. How smoothly it ran. In what style they had come careering along the country roads! The journey laid a magical finger on the genuine pulse of life and gallantly the machinery of human nerves strove to answer the bounding courses of the swift blue animal. They drove down Dame Street. The street was busy with unusual traffic, loud with the horns of motorists and the gongs of impatient tram-drivers. Near the Bank Segouin drew up and Jimmy and his friend alighted. A little knot of people collected on the footpath to pay homage to the snorting motor. The party was to dine together that evening in Segouin's hotel and, meanwhile, Jimmy and his friend, who was staying with him, were to go home to dress. The car steered out slowly for Grafton Street while the two young men pushed their way through the knot of gazers. They walked northward with a curious feeling of disappointment in the exercise, while the city hung its pale globes of light above them in a haze of summer evening. In Jimmy's house this dinner had been pronounced an occasion. A certain pride mingled with his parents' trepidation, a certain eagerness, also, to play fast and loose for the names of great foreign cities have at least this virtue. Jimmy, too, looked very well when he was dressed and, as he stood in the hall giving a last equation to the bows of his dress tie, his father may have felt even commercially satisfied at having secured for his son qualities often unpurchaseable. His father, therefore, was unusually friendly with Villona and his manner expressed a real respect for foreign accomplishments; but this subtlety of his host was probably lost upon the Hungarian, who was beginning to have a sharp desire for his dinner. 24

The dinner was excellent, exquisite. Segouin, Jimmy decided, had a very refined taste. The party was increased by a young Englishman named Routh whom Jimmy had seen with Segouin at Cambridge. The young men supped in a snug room lit by electric candle lamps. They talked volubly and with little reserve. Jimmy, whose imagination was kindling, conceived the lively youth of the Frenchmen twined elegantly upon the firm framework of the Englishman's manner. A graceful image of his, he thought, and a just one. He admired the dexterity with which their host directed the conversation. The five young men had various tastes and their tongues had been loosened. Villona, with immense respect, began to discover to the mildly surprised Englishman the beauties of the English madrigal, deploring the loss of old instruments. Riviere, not wholly ingenuously, undertook to explain to Jimmy the triumph of the French mechanicians. The resonant voice of the Hungarian was about to prevail in ridicule of the spurious lutes of the romantic painters when Segouin shepherded his party into politics. Here was congenial ground for all. Jimmy, under generous influences, felt the buried zeal of his father wake to life within him: he aroused the torpid Routh at last. The room grew doubly hot and Segouin's task grew harder each moment: there was even danger of personal spite. The alert host at an opportunity lifted his glass to Humanity and, when the toast had been drunk, he threw open a window significantly. That night the city wore the mask of a capital. The five young men strolled along Stephen's Green in a faint cloud of aromatic smoke. They talked loudly and gaily and their cloaks dangled from their shoulders. The people made way for them. At the corner of Grafton Street a short fat man was putting two handsome ladies on a car in charge of another fat man. The car drove off and the short fat man caught sight of the party. "Andre." "It's Farley!" A torrent of talk followed. Farley was an American. No one knew very well what the talk was about. Villona and Riviere were the noisiest, but all the men were excited. They got up on a car, squeezing themselves together amid much laughter. They drove by the crowd, blended now into soft colours, to a music of merry bells. They took the train at Westland Row and in a few seconds, as it seemed to Jimmy, they were walking out of Kingstown Station. The ticket-collector saluted Jimmy; he was an old man: "Fine night, sir!" It was a serene summer night; the harbour lay like a darkened mirror at their feet. They proceeded towards it with linked arms, singing Cadet Roussel in chorus, stamping their feet at every: "Ho! Ho! Hohe, vraiment!" They got into a rowboat at the slip and made out for the American's yacht. There was to be supper, music, cards. Villona said with 25

conviction: "It is delightful!" There was a yacht piano in the cabin. Villona played a waltz for Farley and Riviere, Farley acting as cavalier and Riviere as lady. Then an impromptu square dance, the men devising original figures. What merriment! Jimmy took his part with a will; this was seeing life, at least. Then Farley got out of breath and cried "Stop!" A man brought in a light supper, and the young men sat down to it for form's sake. They drank, however: it was Bohemian. They drank Ireland, England, France, Hungary, the United States of America. Jimmy made a speech, a long speech, Villona saying: "Hear! hear!" whenever there was a pause. There was a great clapping of hands when he sat down. It must have been a good speech. Farley clapped him on the back and laughed loudly. What jovial fellows! What good company they were! Cards! cards! The table was cleared. Villona returned quietly to his piano and played voluntaries for them. The other men played game after game, flinging themselves boldly into the adventure. They drank the health of the Queen of Hearts and of the Queen of Diamonds. Jimmy felt obscurely the lack of an audience: the wit was flashing. Play ran very high and paper began to pass. Jimmy did not know exactly who was winning but he knew that he was losing. But it was his own fault for he frequently mistook his cards and the other men had to calculate his I.O.U.'s for him. They were devils of fellows but he wished they would stop: it was getting late. Someone gave the toast of the yacht The Belle of Newport and then someone proposed one great game for a finish. The piano had stopped; Villona must have gone up on deck. It was a terrible game. They stopped just before the end of it to drink for luck. Jimmy understood that the game lay between Routh and Segouin. What excitement! Jimmy was excited too; he would lose, of course. How much had he written away? The men rose to their feet to play the last tricks. talking and gesticulating. Routh won. The cabin shook with the young men's cheering and the cards were bundled together. They began then to gather in what they had won. Farley and Jimmy were the heaviest losers. He knew that he would regret in the morning but at present he was glad of the rest, glad of the dark stupor that would cover up his folly. He leaned his elbows on the table and rested his head between his hands, counting the beats of his temples. The cabin door opened and he saw the Hungarian standing in a shaft of grey light: "Daybreak, gentlemen!"

TWO GALLANTS THE grey warm evening of August had descended upon the city and a mild warm air, a memory of summer, circulated in the streets. The streets, shuttered for the repose of Sunday, swarmed with a gaily coloured crowd. 26

" he said. man. his hair was scant and grey and his face.Like illumined pearls the lamps shone from the summits of their tall poles upon the living texture below which. wore an amused listening face. unique. glanced at every moment towards his companion's face. A yachting cap was shoved far back from his forehead and the narrative to which he listened made constant waves of expression break forth over his face from the corners of his nose and eyes and mouth.. Corley ran his tongue swiftly along his upper lip. Then next Sunday. When he was quite sure that the narrative had ended he laughed noiselessly for fully half a minute. But his figure fell into rotundity at the waist. He had a brave manner of coming up to a party of them in a bar and of holding himself nimbly at the borders of the company until he was included in a round. His eyes. man. his white rubber shoes and his jauntily slung waterproof expressed youth. twinkling with cunning enjoyment. His breeches.. in spite of this reputation. She told me she 27
. Once or twice he rearranged the light waterproof which he had slung over one shoulder in toreador fashion. "And where did you pick her up. "One night. owing to his companion's rudeness. changing shape and hue unceasingly. He was squat and ruddy. He was a sporting vagrant armed with a vast stock of stories. That takes the biscuit!" His voice seemed winnowed of vigour. Most people considered Lenehan a leech but. I met her by appointment. He was insensitive to all kinds of discourtesy. We vent out to Donnybrook and I brought her into a field there. "I was going along Dame Street and I spotted a fine tart under Waterhouse's clock and said good-night. limericks and riddles. His tongue was tired for he had been talking all the afternoon in a public-house in Dorset Street. when the waves of expression had passed over it. had a ravaged look. Corley?" he asked. No one knew how he achieved the stern task of living. and. On of them was just bringing a long monologue to a close. and to enforce his words he added with humour: "That takes the solitary. recherche biscuit!" He became serious and silent when he had said this. sent up into the warm grey evening air an unchanging unceasing murmur. Two young men came down the hill of Rutland Square. Then he said: "Well!. The other. but his name was vaguely associated with racing tissues. his adroitness and eloquence had always prevented his friends from forming any general policy against him. Little jets of wheezing laughter followed one another out of his convulsed body. if I may so call it. I put my arm round her and squeezed her a bit that night. who walked on the verge of the path and was at times obliged to step on to the road. So we went for a walk round by the canal and she told me she was a slavey in a house in Baggot Street. you know.

I suppose you'll be able to pull it off all right. She doesn't know my name. Cigarettes every night she'd bring me and paying the tram out and back. He spoke without listening to the speech of his companions. eh?" Corley closed one eye expressively as an answer." said Corley... He walked with his hands by his sides." 28
. man.. Whenever any job was vacant a friend was always ready to give him the hard word. He watched earnestly the passing of the grey web of twilight across its face. When he reported these dialogues he aspirated the first letter of his name after the manner of Florentines. the real cheese." Lenehan laughed again. looked like a bulb which had grown out of another. At present he was about town. tell me." Corley's stride acknowledged the compliment. set upon it sideways. man. man. I was afraid. Corley was the son of an inspector of police and he had inherited his father's frame and gut. As the two young men walked on through the crowd Corley occasionally turned to smile at some of the passing girls but Lenehan's gaze was fixed on the large faint moon circled with a double halo. But she thinks I'm a bit of class." "Maybe she thinks you'll marry her.. At length he said: "Well. "Of all the good ones ever I heard. I was too hairy to tell her that. And one night she brought me two bloody fine cigars--O. "I told her I was out of a job. Lenehan offered his friend a cigarette. "I told her I was in Pim's. His conversation was mainly about himself what he had said to such a person and what such a person had said to him and what he had said to settle the matter. Corley. that the old fellow used to smoke. noiselessly. He knew the inner side of all affairs and was fond of delivering final judgments. "I know the way to get around her. and his large round hat.. "Is she game for that?" asked Lenehan dubiously." "She's all right." said Lenehan.. it sweated in all weathers. when he wished to gaze after someone in the street. He was often to be seen walking with policemen in plain clothes. you know.. He always stared straight before him as if he were on parade and. It was fine. The swing of his burly body made his friend execute a few light skips from the path to the roadway and back again. talking earnestly. you know. "that emphatically takes the biscuit.. "You can never know women. She's a bit gone on me.used to go with a dairyman. she'd get in the family way." he said. His head was large. it was necessary for him to move his body from the hips. holding himself erect and swaying his head from side to side. But she's up to the dodge." said Corley. globular and oily.

Corley.. He was silent again. To save himself he had the habit of leaving his flattery open to the interpretation of raillery." he added." he affirmed. in a convincing tone. The recollection brightened his eyes. man. unbosoming." "I suppose that's your doing." said Lenehan. But Lenehan could well believe it. "She was. he nodded gravely. on the tram somewhere and pay the tram or take them to a band or a play at the theatre or buy them chocolate and sweets or something that way. I used to spend money on them right enough. "girls off the South Circular." said Corley philosophically.. too!" A shade of mockery relieved the servility of his manner. "Base betrayer!" he said." said Corley. now nearly veiled. He moistened his upper lip by running his tongue along it. "Only off of one of them. I saw her driving down Earl Street one night with two fellows with her on a car. "You know you can't kid me." said Corley. He too gazed at the pale disc of the moon. I used to take them out. and seemed to meditate." said Lenehan." he said. as if he was conscious of being disbelieved. "And the proper kind of a Lothario. Then he added: "She's on the turf now. "I know that game. "There was others at her before me. "Ditto here." "By one who has tried them all." he said." said Corley. This time Lenehan was inclined to disbelieve. a bit of all right. But Corley had not a subtle mind. "Didn't she tell me herself?" Lenehan made a tragic gesture."You're what I call a gay Lothario. you know." he said regretfully. "Honest to God!" said Corley. "There's nothing to touch a good slavey." "And damn the thing I ever got out of it." said Lenehan. "First I used to go with girls. 29
." said Lenehan. "Take my tip for it. "and it's a mug's game. He shook his head to and fro and smiled.

" he said. His harp. wearily also. They're damn close on that point. "She's a fine decent tart. "that's what she is. O Moyle. Lenehan skipped out into the road and peered up at the clock. 30
." said Corley. When they reached Stephen's Green they crossed the road. I always let her wait a bit. glancing quickly from time to time at the face of each new-comer and from time to time. "I'm up to all their little tricks. But Corley's brow was soon smooth again. Not far from the porch of the club a harpist stood in the roadway." said Lenehan again.. The two young men walked up the street without speaking." he said. small eyes searched his companion's face for reassurance. to be sent to the devil and told that his advice was not wanted. One hand played in the bass the melody of Silent. "Leave it to me.. Here the noise of trams. and his brows gathered. He plucked at the wires heedlessly. "There she is!" said Corley. A little tact was necessary. What?" His bright. "But tell me." he said. Eh?. the mournful music following them. "Time enough. at the sky. seemed weary alike of the eyes of strangers and of her master's hands. His thoughts were running another way. The notes of the air sounded deep and full." Lenehan laughed quietly. playing to a little ring of listeners. too." Corley confessed." They walked along Nassau Street and then turned into Kildare Street. the lights and the crowd released them from their silence. "She'll be there all right. She stood on the curbstone." he said. Corley swung his head to and fro as if to toss aside an insistent insect. can't you?" Lenehan said no more. She wore a blue dress and a white sailor hat. He did not wish to ruffle his friend's temper. "are you sure you can bring it off all right? You know it's a ticklish job. swinging a sunshade in one hand. "I'll pull it off. you know how to take them.As they passed along the railings of Trinity College. with appreciation. "Twenty after. while the other hand careered in the treble after each group of notes. heedless that her coverings had fallen about her knees. At the corner of Hume Street a young woman was standing. Lenehan grew lively. "Ecod! Corley.

She had broad nostrils. Corley glanced sideways at his friend and an unpleasant grin appeared on his face. I'll go over and talk to her and you can pass by. his easy pace. Rank rude health glowed in her face." "O. We'll be coming back. "Damn it!" said Lenehan boldly. She swung her umbrella more quickly and executed half turns on her heels.. and the solid sound of his boots had something of the conqueror in them. and two projecting front teeth." he said. began at once to converse with her. Corley.. Then he walked rapidly along beside the chains at some distance and crossed the road obliquely. The ends of her tulle collarette had been carefully disordered and a big bunch of red flowers was pinned in her bosom stems upwards. more amiably. Her features were blunt. She wore a short black jacket with mother-of-pearl buttons and a ragged black boa. As he passed Lenehan took off his cap and. A look at her?" said Corley. The great silver buckle of her belt seemed to depress the centre of her body." "Right!" said Lenehan. Lenehan's eyes noted approvingly her stout short muscular body. "Where?" "Corner of Merrion Street. catching the light stuff of her white blouse like a clip."Let's have a look at her. I'm not going to eat her. without saluting." said Lenehan in farewell. "I don't want an introduction. "Well." answered Corley. Once or twice when he spoke to her at close quarters she laughed and bent her head.. She had her Sunday finery on. He sauntered across the road swaying his head from side to side. This he did by raising his hand vaguely and pensively changing the angle of 31
. I'll tell you what.. Corley returned a salute to the air. bringing over his other leg." "Work it all right now. Lenehan observed them for a few minutes. He approached the young woman and. on her fat red cheeks and in her unabashed blue eyes. a straggling mouth which lay open in a contented leer. As he approached Hume Street corner he found the air heavily scented and his eyes made a swift anxious scrutiny of the young woman's appearance. Corley did not answer. His bulk. All I want is to have a look at her. Corley had already thrown one leg over the chains when Lenehan called out: "And after? Where will we meet?" "Half ten. "Are you trying to get inside me?" he asked. after about ten seconds. Her blue serge skirt was held at the waist by a belt of black leather.

As he walked on slowly. The mechanic and the two work-girls examined him point by point before resuming their conversation in a subdued voice. to invent and to amuse and his brain and throat were too dry for such a task. Though his eyes took note of many elements of the crowd through which he passed they did so morosely. "and a bottle of ginger beer. He knew that he would have to speak a great deal. he watched Corley's head which turned at every moment towards the young woman's face like a big ball revolving on a pivot. He walked listlessly round Stephen's Green and then down Grafton Street. Now that he was alone his face looked older. Lenehan walked as far as the Shelbourne Hotel where he halted and waited. To appear natural he pushed his cap back on his head and planted his elbows on the table. He sat down at an uncovered wooden table opposite two work-girls and a mechanic. "Three halfpence. He eyed this food earnestly for some time and then. The girl brought him a plate of grocer's hot peas. timing his pace to theirs. He kept the pair in view until he had seen them climbing the stairs of the Donnybrook tram. he allowed his hand to run along them. "Bring me a plate of peas. The air which the harpist had played began to control his movements His softly padded feet played the melody while his fingers swept a scale of variations idly along the railings after each group of notes. A cut ham was exposed on a great blue dish while near it on a plate lay a segment of very light plum-pudding. then he turned about and went back the way he had come." said the girl. He paused at last before the window of a poor-looking shop over which the words Refreshment Bar were printed in white letters. went into the shop quickly. a 32
. sir. "How much is a plate of peas?" he asked. On the glass of the window were two flying inscriptions: Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale. he followed them. after glancing warily up and down the street. A slatternly girl waited on him." He spoke roughly in order to belie his air of gentility for his entry had been followed by a pause of talk." he said. His face was heated. except some biscuits which he had asked two grudging curates to bring him. After waiting for a little time he saw them coming towards him and. He turned to the left when he came to the corner of Rutland Square and felt more at ease in the dark quiet street. He was hungry for. He could think of no way of passing them but to keep on walking. the sombre look of which suited his mood. The problem of how he could pass the hours till he met Corley again troubled him a little.position of his hat. stepping lightly in his white shoes. seasoned with pepper and vinegar. as he came by the railings of the Duke's Lawn. down one side of Merrion Square. He found trivial all that was meant to charm him and did not answer the glances which invited him to be bold. when they turned to the right. he had eaten nothing since breakfast-time. His gaiety seemed to forsake him and.

he heard Corley's voice in deep energetic gallantries and saw again the leer of the young woman's mouth. They looked vacantly after some figures in the crowd and sometimes made a critical remark. He went as far as the clock of the College of Surgeons: it was on the stroke of ten. His friends asked him had he seen Corley and what was the latest. When he reached the corner of Merrion Street he took his stand in the shadow of a lamp and brought out one of the cigarettes which he had reserved and lit it. He leaned against the lamp-post and kept his gaze fixed on the part from which he expected to see Corley and the young woman return. His eyes searched the street: there was no sign of them. He paid twopence halfpenny to the slatternly girl and went out of the shop to begin his wandering again. The crowd of girls and young men had thinned and on his way up the street he heard many groups and couples bidding one another good-night.fork and his ginger beer. He would be thirty-one in November. less vanquished in spirit. less weary of his life. The young man who had seen Mac in Westmoreland Street asked was it true that Mac had won a bit over a billiard match. He ate his food greedily and found it so good that he made a note of the shop mentally. He replied that he had spent the day with Corley. But the memory of Corley's slowly revolving head calmed him somewhat: he was sure Corley would pull it off all right. In his imagination he beheld the pair of lovers walking along some dark road. He felt better after having eaten than he had felt before. He was tired of knocking about. Yet it was surely half-an-hour since 33
. When he had eaten all the peas he sipped his ginger beer and sat for some time thinking of Corley's adventure. He left his friends at a quarter to ten and went up George's Street. But all hope had not left him. He had walked the streets long enough with friends and with girls. He knew what those friends were worth: he knew the girls too. of pulling the devil by the tail. He set off briskly along the northern side of the Green hurrying for fear Corley should return too soon. Would he never get a good job? Would he never have a home of his own? He thought how pleasant it would be to have a warm fire to sit by and a good dinner to sit down to. Experience had embittered his heart against the world. All at once the idea struck him that perhaps Corley had seen her home by another way and given him the slip. He might yet be able to settle down in some snug corner and live happily if he could only come across some good simple-minded girl with a little of the ready. He went into Capel Street and walked along towards the City Hall. At the corner of George's Street he met two friends of his and stopped to converse with them. His mind became active again. He was glad that he could rest from all his walking. At this Lenehan said that he had been with Mac the night before in Egan's. He suffered all the pangs and thrills of his friend's situation as well as those of his own. Lenehan did not know: he said that Holohan had stood them drinks in Egan's. He wondered if he had asked her yet or if he would leave it to the last. He wondered had Corley managed it successfully. He turned to the left at the City Markets and walked on into Grafton Street. This vision made him feel keenly his own poverty of purse and spirit. His friends talked very little. Then he turned into Dame Street. of shifts and intrigues. One said that he had seen Mac an hour before in Westmoreland Street.

"Well?" he said. he knew it was no go. A small gold coin shone in the palm. "Did it come off?" They had reached the corner of Ely Place. 34
.he had seen the clock of the College of Surgeons. breathing uneasily. He called out: "Hallo. settling the waterproof on his shoulders with one hand. He took them as a warning and. Some minutes passed. a little distance from the front steps. The door closed on her and Corley began to walk swiftly towards Stephen's Green. smiling. They were walking quickly. Corley remained standing at the edge of the path. The paper of his cigarette broke and he flung it into the road with a curse. "Can't you tell us?" he said. glancing back towards the house which the young woman had entered to see that he was not observed. His features were composed in stern calm. taking the other footpath. Corley!" Corley turned his head to see who had called him. An intimation of the result pricked him like the point of a sharp instrument. "Hallo. Corley!" he cried again. Lenehan ran after him. Lenehan kept up with his friend. Corley turned and went towards her. Would Corley do a thing like that? He lit his last cigarette and began to smoke it nervously. Then with a grave gesture he extended a hand towards the light and. They must have gone home by another way. Corley swerved to the left and went up the side street. while Corley kept beside her with his long stride. opened it slowly to the gaze of his disciple. Still without answering. He was baffled and a note of menace pierced through his voice. When they stopped he stopped too. He came level with his friend and looked keenly in his face. he ran eagerly across the road. He could see nothing there. Lenehan hurried on in the same direction. A woman came running down the front steps and coughed. His broad figure hid hers from view for a few seconds and then she reappeared running up the steps. Then the hall-door was opened slowly and cautiously. Some drops of light rain fell. "Did you try her?" Corley halted at the first lamp and stared grimly before him. He strained his eyes as each tram stopped at the far corner of the square. They talked for a few moments and then the young woman went down the steps into the area of a house. They did not seem to be speaking. the young woman taking quick short steps. Suddenly he saw them coming towards him. and then continued walking as before. Anxiety and his swift run made him pant. They turned down Baggot Street and he followed them at once. He knew Corley would fail. He started with delight and keeping close to his lamp-post tried to read the result in their walk.

By fighting his wife in the presence of customers and by buying bad meat he ruined his business. was a big imposing woman. artistes from the music halls. ran headlong into debt. When he met his friends he had always a good one to tell them and he was always sure to be on to a good thing-that is to say. But as soon as his father-in-law was dead Mr. Mrs. It was no use making him take the pledge: he was sure to break out again a few days after. After that they lived apart. pencilled above his little eyes. MOONEY was a butcher's daughter. One night he went for his wife with the cleaver and she had to sleep a neighbour's house. occasionally. and all day long he sat in the bailiff's room. They shared in common tastes and occupations and for this reason they were very chummy with one another. which were grey with a shade of green through them. They discussed with one another the chances of favourites and outsiders. Polly Mooney. which 35
. On Sunday nights there would often be a reunion in Mrs. He was also handy with the mits and sang comic songs.. who was clerk to a commission agent in Fleet Street. the Madam's son. She would give him neither money nor food nor house-room. had the reputation of being a hard case. Mooney. plundered the till. Mooney's front drawing-room. would also sing. knew when to give credit. Mooney's young men paid fifteen shillings a week for board and lodgings (beer or stout at dinner excluded). Her house had a floating population made up of tourists from Liverpool and the Isle of Man and. Polly was a slim girl of nineteen. All the resident young men spoke of her as The Madam. You needn't sham: You know I am. Its resident population was made up of clerks from the city. she had light soft hair and a small full mouth.
Mrs. who had taken what remained of her money out of the butcher business and set up a boarding house in Hardwicke Street. Her eyes. which were veined and raw. The music-hall artistes would oblige. when to be stern and when to let things pass. He drank. She was a woman who was quite able to keep things to herself: a determined woman. She went to the priest and got a separation from him with care of the children. and Sheridan played waltzes and polkas and vamped accompaniments.THE BOARDING HOUSE MRS. Mooney began to go to the devil. Jack Mooney. She sang: I'm a. She governed the house cunningly and firmly. He was fond of using soldiers' obscenities: usually he came home in the small hours. the Madam's daughter.. and so he was obliged to enlist himself as a sheriff's man. She had married her father's foreman and opened a butcher's shop near Spring Gardens. waiting to be put on a job. had a habit of glancing upwards when she spoke with anyone. naughty girl. He was a shabby stooped little drunkard with a white face and a white moustache white eyebrows. a likely horse or a likely artiste.

It was seventeen minutes past eleven: she would have lots of time to have the matter out with Mr. but with a fresh breeze blowing. she had taken her daughter home again and set her to do housework. Mooney began to think of sending Polly back to typewriting when she noticed that something was going on between Polly and one of the young men.made her look like a little perverse madonna. revealing their purpose by their self-contained demeanour no less than by the little volumes in their gloved hands. Mrs. All the windows of the boarding house were open and the lace curtains ballooned gently towards the street beneath the raised sashes. She had allowed him to live 36
. Mooney did not intervene. asking to be allowed to say a word to his daughter. though people in the house began to talk of the affair. She watched the pair and kept her own counsel. Polly knew that she was being watched. but still her mother's persistent silence could not be misunderstood. Polly. of course. she began to reconstruct the interview which she had had the night before with Polly. She had been made awkward by her not wishing to receive the news in too cavalier a fashion or to seem to have connived and Polly had been made awkward not merely because allusions of that kind always made her awkward but also because she did not wish it to be thought that in her wise innocence she had divined the intention behind her mother's tolerance. no open understanding but. She dealt with moral problems as a cleaver deals with meat: and in this case she had made up her mind. Things went on so for a long time and Mrs. At last. as a disreputable sheriff's man used to come every other day to the office. Mrs. Mooney. knew that the young men were only passing the time away: none of them meant business. promising heat. Mooney sat in the straw arm-chair and watched the servant Mary remove the breakfast things. When the table was cleared. still Mrs. Polly began to grow a little strange in her manner and the young man was evidently perturbed. when she judged it to be the right moment. The belfry of George's Church sent out constant peals and worshippers. Mooney glanced instinctively at the little gilt clock on the mantelpiece as soon as she had become aware through her revery that the bells of George's Church had stopped ringing. As Polly was very lively the intention was to give her the run of the young men. To begin with she had all the weight of social opinion on her side: she was an outraged mother. singly or in groups. Mrs. Doran and then catch short twelve at Marlborough Street. Besides young men like to feel that there is a young woman not very far away. flirted with the young men but Mrs. Mooney intervened. the sugar and butter safe under lock and key. who was a shrewd judge. There had been no open complicity between mother and daughter. She was sure she would win. traversed the little circus before the church. Mrs. She mad Mary collect the crusts and pieces of broken bread to help to make Tuesday's bread-pudding. Mooney had first sent her daughter to be a typist in a corn-factor's office but. Things were as she had suspected: she had been frank in her questions and Polly had been frank in her answers. It was a bright Sunday morning of early summer. of course. the broken bread collected. Both had been somewhat awkward. Breakfast was over in the boarding house and the table of the breakfast-room was covered with plates on which lay yellow streaks of eggs with morsels of bacon-fat and bacon-rind.

not rakish or loud-voiced like the others. He had money enough to settle down on." All his long years of service gone for nothing! All his industry and diligence thrown away! As a young man he had sown his wild oats. What could he do now but marry her or run away? He could not brazen it out. It is all very well for the man: he can go his ways as if nothing had happened. She felt sure she would win. Whereas if he agreed all might be well. The question was: What reparation would he make? There must be reparation made in such case. Leonard calling out in his rasping voice: "Send Mr. he had been employed for thirteen years in a great Catholic wine-merchant's office and publicity would mean for him. the loss of his job. If it had been Mr. The harm was done. She did not think he would face publicity. Doran was very anxious indeed this Sunday morning.. Doran here. The affair would be sure to be talked of and his employer would be certain to hear of it. He felt his heart leap warmly in his throat as he heard in his excited imagination old Mr. of course. She knew he had a good screw for one thing and she suspected he had a bit of stuff put by. Some mothers would be content to patch up such an affair for a sum of money. Nearly the half-hour! She stood up and surveyed herself in the pier-glass. Meade or Bantam Lyons her task would have been much harder. He was thirty-four or thirty-five years of age. perhaps. Sheridan or Mr. He still bought a copy of Reynolds's Newspaper every week but he attended to his religious duties and for nine-tenths of the year lived a regular life. Besides. Dublin is such a small city: everyone knows everyone else's business. nor could ignorance be his excuse since he was a man who had seen something of the world. The decisive expression of her great florid face satisfied her and she thought of some mothers she knew who could not get their daughters off their hands. but the girl has to bear the brunt. For her only one reparation could make up for the loss of her daughter's honour: marriage. having had his moment of pleasure. She counted all her cards again before sending Mary up to Doran's room to say that she wished to speak with him. He had made two attempts to shave but his hand had been so unsteady that he had been obliged to desist.. the priest had drawn out every ridiculous detail of the affair and in the end had so magnified his sin that he was almost thankful at being afforded a loophole of reparation. so that youth could not be pleaded as his excuse. nearly. Mr. But that was all passed and done with.beneath her roof. Three days' reddish beard fringed his jaws and every two or three minutes a mist gathered on his glasses so that he had to take them off and polish them with his pocket-handkerchief. assuming that he was a man of honour and he had simply abused her hospitality. details had been invented by some. He was a serious young man. it was 37
. The recollection of his confession of the night before was a cause of acute pain to him. she had known cases of it. he had boasted of his free-thinking and denied the existence of God to his companions in public-houses. please. He had simply taken advantage of Polly's youth and inexperience: that was evident. But she would not do so. All the lodgers in the house knew something of the affair.

. She cried and threw her arms round his neck. But delirium passes. that she had made a clean breast of it to her mother and that her mother would speak with him that morning. While he was sitting helplessly on the side of the bed in shirt and trousers she tapped lightly at his door and entered. He comforted her feebly. But the sin was there." But what would grammar matter if he really loved her? He could not make up his mind whether to like her or despise her for what she had done.. saying: "O Bob! Bob! What am I to do? What am I to do at all?" She would put an end to herself. She wore a loose open combing-jacket of printed flannel. First of all there was her disreputable father and then her mother's boarding house was beginning to get a certain fame. the touch of her hand and his delirium. On nights when he came in very late it was she who warmed up his dinner. she said.. not to marry. While he was sitting with her on the side of the bed Mary came to the door and said that the missus wanted to see him in the parlour. They used to kiss. Her white instep shone in the opening of her furry slippers and the blood glowed warmly behind her perfumed skin. with the curious patient memory of the celibate. at night. His instinct urged him to remain free. They used to go upstairs together on tiptoe.. And her thoughtfulness! If the night was anyway cold or wet or windy there was sure to be a little tumbler of punch ready for him. the first casual caresses her dress. He remembered well her eyes. She wanted to relight her candle at his for hers had been blown out by a gust. He left her crying on the bed and moaning softly: "O my 38
.not that. Then late one night as he was undressing for she had tapped at his door. He echoed her phrase. It would be all right. in the sleeping house. and on the third landing exchange reluctant goodnights. She told him all. He stood up to put on his coat and waistcoat. more helpless than ever. Of course he had done it too. He remembered well. But the family would look down on her. even his sense of honour told him that reparation must be made for such a sin. some times she said "I seen" and "If I had've known. never fear.. He scarcely knew what he was eating feeling her beside him alone. She was a little vulgar. Once you are married you are done for. it said. When he was dressed he went over to her to comfort her. He could imagine his friends talking of the affair and laughing. her fingers had given him. From her hands and wrists too as she lit and steadied her candle a faint perfume arose. timidly. It was not altogether his fault that it had happened. Perhaps they could be happy together. her breath. He felt against his shirt the agitation of her bosom. telling her not to cry. each with a candle.. that it would be all right. applying it to himself: "What am I to do?" The instinct of the celibate warned him to hold back. It was her bath night. He had a notion that he was being had. never fear.

Doran wants to speak to you. The music-hall artiste. Then she dried her eyes and went over to the looking-glass. Suddenly he remembered the night when one of the music-hall artistes. Then she went back to the bed again and sat at the foot. She looked at herself in profile and readjusted a hairpin above her ear. She dipped the end of the towel in the water-jug and refreshed her eyes with the cool water. She started to her feet and ran to the banisters. She waited on patiently. mamma?" "Come down.
A LITTLE CLOUD 39
. There was no longer any perturbation visible on her face. had made a rather free allusion to Polly. so he would. They saluted coldly.God!" Going down the stairs his glasses became so dimmed with moisture that he had to take them off and polish them. "Polly! Polly!" "Yes. When he reached the foot of the staircase he glanced up and saw Jack regarding him from the door of the return-room. On the last flight of stairs he passed Jack Mooney who was coming up from the pantry nursing two bottles of Bass. She rested the nape of her neck against the cool iron bed-rail and fell into a reverie. without alarm. almost cheerfully. The implacable faces of his employer and of the Madam stared upon his discomfiture. Everyone tried to quiet him. a little blond Londoner. amiable memories. and the lover's eyes rested for a second or two on a thick bulldog face and a pair of thick short arms. dear. kept smiling and saying that there was no harm meant: but Jack kept shouting at him that if any fellow tried that sort of a game on with his sister he'd bloody well put his teeth down his throat. He longed to ascend through the roof and fly away to another country where he would never hear again of his trouble. her memories gradually giving place to hopes and visions of the future. crying. She regarded the pillows for a long time and the sight of them awakened in her mind secret. a little paler than usual. Mr. Polly sat for a little time on the side of the bed. At last she heard her mother calling. and yet a force pushed him downstairs step by step." Then she remembered what she had been waiting for. Her hopes and visions were so intricate that she no longer saw the white pillows on which her gaze was fixed or remembered that she was waiting for anything. The reunion had been almost broken up on account of Jack's violence.

A gentle melancholy took possession of him. As he sat at his desk in the King's Inns he thought what changes those eight years had brought. He picked his way deftly through all that minute vermin-like life and under the shadow of the gaunt spectral mansions in which the old nobility of Dublin had roystered. He had never been in Corless's but he knew the value of the name. They stood or ran in the roadway or crawled up the steps before the gaping doors or squatted like mice upon the thresholds. as he sat in the little room off the hall. he gave one the idea of being a little man. and walked swiftly down Henrietta Street. He emerged from under the feudal arch of the King's Inns. and so the books had remained on their shelves. He remembered the books of poetry upon his shelves at home. He turned often from his tiresome writing to gaze out of the office window. his frame was fragile. No memory of the past touched him. Gallaher's heart was in the right place and he had deserved to win. Little Chandler's thoughts ever since lunch-time had been of his meeting with Gallaher. he had been tempted to take one down from the bookshelf and read out something to his wife. his voice was quiet and his manners were refined. of Gallaher's invitation and of the great city London where Gallaher lived. and fearless accent. You could tell that at once by his travelled air. a neat modest figure. A horde of grimy children populated the street. He took the greatest care of his fair silken hair and moustache and used perfume discreetly on his handkerchief. it flickered upon all the moving figures--on the children who ran screaming along the gravel paths and on everyone who passed through the gardens. But shyness had always held him back. He felt how useless it was to struggle against fortune. It cast a shower of kindly golden dust on the untidy nurses and decrepit old men who drowsed on the benches. his well-cut tweed suit. Little Chandler gave them no thought. The golden sunset was waning and the air had grown sharp.EIGHT years before he had seen his friend off at the North Wall and wished him godspeed. The friend whom he had known under a shabby and necessitous guise had become a brilliant figure on the London Press. for his mind was full of a present joy. When his hour had struck he stood up and took leave of his desk and of his fellow-clerks punctiliously. though he was but slightly under the average stature. The glow of a late autumn sunset covered the grass plots and walks. He watched the scene and thought of life. He had bought them in his bachelor days and many an evening. He was called Little Chandler because. Gallaher had got on. The half-moons of his nails were perfect and when he smiled you caught a glimpse of a row of childish white teeth. It was something to have a friend like that. and (as always happened when he thought of life) he became sad. this being the burden of wisdom which the ages had bequeathed to him. His hands were white and small. Few fellows had talents like his and fewer still could remain unspoiled by such success. At times he repeated lines to himself and this consoled him. He knew that people went there after the theatre to eat oysters and drink 40
.

now that he reviewed the past. and. They wore noisy dresses and many wraps. For the first time his soul revolted against the dull inelegance of Capel Street. as he walked boldly forward. escorted by cavaliers. stupefied by the panorama of sunset and waiting for the first chill of night bid them arise. Little Chandler remembered (and the remembrance brought a slight flush of pride to his cheek) one of Ignatius Gallaher's sayings when he was in a tight corner: "Half time now. But nobody denied him talent. For the first time in his life he felt himself superior to the people he passed. Little Chandler quickened his pace. shake themselves and begone. the wandering. As he crossed Grattan Bridge he looked down the river towards the lower quays and pitied the poor stunted houses. that was one version of his flight. There was always a certain. Little Chandler could remember many signs of future greatness in his friend. They seemed to him a band of tramps. You could do nothing in Dublin. silent figures troubled him. Ignatius Gallaher on the London Press! Who would have thought it possible eight years before? Still. alight and enter quickly. He wondered whether he could write a poem to express his idea. boys. In the end he had got mixed up in some shady affair.. damn it. It was his habit to walk swiftly in the street even by day and whenever he found himself in the city late at night he hurried on his way apprehensively and excitedly. Sometimes." he used to say light-heartedly. some money transaction: at least. He turned to the right towards Capel Street. He stepped onward bravely. drank freely and borrowed money on all sides. Even when he was out at elbows and at his wits' end for money he kept up a bold face. He chose the darkest and narrowest streets and.. Every step brought him nearer to London. People used to say that Ignatius Gallaher was wild Of course. Walking swiftly by at night he had seen cabs drawn up before the door and richly dressed ladies.liqueurs. something in Ignatius Gallaher that impressed you in spite of yourself. their old coats covered with dust and soot. Their faces were powdered and they caught up their dresses. he did mix with a rakish set of fellows at that time. There was no doubt about it: if you wanted to succeed you had to go away. He had always passed without turning his head to look. like alarmed Atalantas. A light began to tremble on the horizon of his mind. you couldn't but admire him for it. however. "Where's my considering cap?" That was Ignatius Gallaher all out. the silence that was spread about his footsteps troubled him. farther from his own sober inartistic life. His temperament might be said to be just 41
. and at times a sound of low fugitive laughter made him tremble like a leaf. and he had heard that the waiters there spoke French and German. when they touched earth. Perhaps Gallaher might be able to get it into some London paper for him. he courted the causes of his fear. huddled together along the riverbanks. He was not so old--thirty-two. Could he write something original? He was not sure what idea he wished to express but the thought that a poetic moment had touched him took life within him like an infant hope.

He pursued his revery so ardently that he passed his street and had to turn back.. Finally he opened the door and entered.".. I can tell you. He began to invent sentences and phrases from the notice which his book would get. "Mr. I say. As he came near Corless's his former agitation began to overmaster him and he halted before the door in indecision.at the point of maturity. "The Celtic note. or better still: T.. perhaps. He glanced quickly to right and left (frowning slightly to make his errand appear serious)." he said. bring us two halves of malt whisky. looking for copy and sometimes not finding it: and then. Little Chandler shook his head as a denial. Soda? Lithia? No mineral? I'm the same Spoils the flavour.. Here. "wistful sadness pervades these poems. 42
. Chandler has the gift of easy and graceful verse. relieved his unhealthy pallor and shone out plainly above the vivid orange tie he wore." It was a pity his name was not more Irish-looking. Perhaps it would be better to insert his mother's name before the surname: Thomas Malone Chandler.". He could not sway the crowd but he might appeal to a little circle of kindred minds. There were so many different moods and impressions that he wished to express in verse. would recognise him as one of the Celtic school by reason of the melancholy tone of his poems. If he could give expression to it in a book of poems perhaps men would listen. which were of bluish slate-colour. but his sight was confused by the shining of many red and green wine-glasses The bar seemed to him to be full of people and he felt that the people were observing him curiously. Between these rival features the lips appeared very long and shapeless and colourless. garcon. to get back to the old country. was Ignatius Gallaher leaning with his back against the counter and his feet planted far apart. Well. He tried weigh his soul to see if it was a poet's soul. His face was heavy. pale and cleanshaven. Always hurry and scurry.. The light and noise of the bar held him at the doorways for a few moments. He felt them within him. Tommy. sure enough. what? A little grey and thin on the top--what?" Ignatius Gallaher took off his hat and displayed a large closely cropped head.. "It pulls you down. for a few days.. Melancholy was the dominant note of his temperament. but when his sight cleared a little he saw that nobody had turned to look at him: and there. Damn proofs and printers. besides that. He would never be popular: he saw that. He looked about him. Ignatius Galaher put on his hat again. how old we're getting! Do you see any signs of aging in me--eh. The English critics. always to have something new in your stuff. but it was a melancholy tempered by recurrences of faith and resignation and simple joy. he would put in allusions. and how have you been pulling along since I saw you last? Dear God.. old hero. like a good fellow. he thought. I'm deuced glad. here you are! What is it to be? What will you have? I'm taking whisky: better stuff than we get across the water. "Hallo.. His eyes. Malone Chandler. He would speak to Gallaher about it. He bent his head and felt with two sympathetic fingers the thin hair at the crown.. "Press life.

." said Ignatius Gallaher. I feel a ton better since I landed again in dear dirty Dublin.Does a fellow good. I suppose?" "Other things. he's in the Land Commission. cheerfully.. Tommy. "O'Hara seems to be in a bad way. too." said Little Chandler shortly. "Go to London or Paris: Paris." said Ignatius Gallaher. "He's gone to the dogs. You're the very same serious person that used to lecture me on Sunday mornings when I had a sore head and a fur on my tongue. 43
. "I met some of the old gang today. Have you never been anywhere even for a trip?" "I've been to the Isle of Man. Water? Say when. for choice." said Ignatius Gallaher." Little Chandler allowed his whisky to be very much diluted. You'd want to knock about a bit in the world. Here you are. What's he doing?" "Nothing." said Little Chandler. "You don't know what's good for you. He sipped a little of his drink while Ignatius Gallaher finished his boldly." They clinked glasses and drank the toast.. Ignatius Gallaher laughed." "Have you seen Paris?" "I should think I have! I've knocked about there a little..." "Ah well. "I see you haven't changed an atom." said Little Chandler. a bit of a holiday." he said. hasn't he?" "Yes." "I drink very little as a rule.." said Little Chandler modestly." "And is it really so beautiful as they say?" asked Little Chandler. Ignatius Gallaher laughed." "But Hogan has a good sit. "Tommy. "The Isle of Man!" he said. "I drink mine neat." "I met him one night in London and he seemed to be very flush. "An odd half-one or so when I meet any of the old crowd: that's all. "here's to us and to old times and old acquaintance. Poor O'Hara! Boose. my boy. That'd do you good.

"Every place is immoral. You ask Hogan. after some trouble. There was something vulgar in his friend which he had not observed before. When they heard I was from Ireland they were ready to eat me. he had seen the world. Go to one of the students' balls. Gallaher's accent and way of expressing himself did not please him. "Ah.. Gallaher had lived. He'd open your eye. "It's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. with timid insistence--"I mean.. it is beautiful." said Little Chandler. "It's not so beautiful. don't make punch of that whisky: liquor up. "Of course you do find spicy bits in Paris. there's no city like Paris for gaiety." Ignatius Gallaher continued when the barman had removed their glasses. my boy.. man. pausing on the word and on the flavour of his drink. "Tell me. "They believe in enjoying life--and don't you think they're right? If you want to enjoy yourself properly you must go to Paris. The old personal charm was still there under this new gaudy manner."Beautiful?" said Ignatius Gallaher. "and I've been to all the Bohemian cafes. immoral as they say?" Ignatius Gallaher made a catholic gesture with his right arm. "I've been to the Moulin Rouge." he said. I suppose?" "I've heard of them." said Ignatius Gallaher. I say." he said. "is it true that Paris is so. Little Chandler looked at his friend enviously. And." "Then it is an immoral city. Tommy. movement. when the cocottes begin to let themselves loose.. "Everything in Paris is gay. But perhaps it was only the result of living in London amid the bustle and competition of the Press." 44
." he said.. He was beginning to feel somewhat disillusioned. But it's the life of Paris. you know.." Little Chandler finished his whisky and. after all. succeeded in catching the barman's eye.. excitement." said Little Chandler.. they've a great feeling for the Irish there.. Hot stuff! Not for a pious chap like you. if you like.. for instance." Little Chandler said nothing until the barman returned with two glasses: then he touched his friend's glass lightly and reciprocated the former toast." Little Chandler took four or five sips from his glass. for go. mind you. that's the thing. He ordered the same again. You know what they are. Ignatius Gallaher drank off his whisky and shook his had. And. Of course.. Ah. Tommy. That's lively. "you may say what you like. compared with London or Dublin?" "London!" said Ignatius Gallaher. I showed him a bit about London when he was over there. There's no woman like the Parisienne--for style.

" he said. The two friends lit their cigars and puffed at them in silence until their drinks were served. immorality. He spared neither rank nor caste. "Ah. you know. all right. tasted the joys of connubial bliss."No. come on. and tons of money. And." said Little Chandler... well. and may you never die till I shoot you. an old friend. "here we are in old jog-along Dublin where nothing is known of such things. I suppose?" "Well. wasn't it?" Little Chandler blushed and smiled.." "O. Some things he could not vouch for (his friends had told him)." he said. as they say. You know that?" 45
. "Yes. after all. "I didn't know your address or I'd have done so at the time." said Ignatius Gallaher. isn't it? You can't help having a certain feeling for it." said Ignatius Gallaher. which Little Chandler took.. really. Two years ago.." "How dull you must find it." He extended his hand." said Ignatius Gallaher.. He summarised the vices of many capitals and seemed inclined to award the palm to Berlin. Hogan told me you had. Talk of immorality! I've heard of cases--what am I saying?--I've known them: cases of. "Well. old chap.. "I'll tell you my opinion. Tommy. "after all the other places you've seen!" "Well.. in a calm historian's tone. it's the old country. Little Chandler as astonished." "Francois... with details. the same again.. He revealed many of the secrets of religious houses on the Continent and described some of the practices which were fashionable in high society and ended by telling. "it's a relaxation to come over here... emerging after some time from the clouds of smoke in which he had taken refuge. That's human nature. "I wish you and yours every joy in life. Will you smoke." said Ignatius Gallaher." Ignatius Gallaher puffed thoughtfully at his cigar and then... but of others he had had personal experience. And that's the wish of a sincere friend. But tell me something about yourself.. Tommy?" Ignatius Gallaher produced his cigar-case. another one won't do you any harm. a story about an English duchess--a story which he knew to be true. he proceeded to sketch for his friend some pictures of the corruption which was rife abroad. "I was married last May twelve months. "it's a rum world.." "I hope it's not too late in the day to offer my best wishes. What is it? The same again..

that's agreed." "Tonight.. "the next time you come we must have an evening together. looked confusedly at his glass and bit his lower lip with three childishly white front teeth.?" "I'm awfully sorry.. yes. "we'll just have one more now.. 46
. Little Chandler blushed again. Tommy. It's only a pleasure deferred. clever young chap he is too. "We have one child." Ignatius Gallaher took out a large gold watch and looked a it.. positively. "Next year if I come. parole d'honneur. "I'm sorry we didn't meet earlier. We can have a little music and----" "Thanks awfully. "I hope you'll spend an evening with us." said Little Chandler. perhaps." "O.p. You see I'm over here with another fellow. "I wouldn't doubt you. "Bravo. "Son or daughter?" "A little boy." said Ignatius Gallaher. and we arranged to go to a little card-party.." said Little Chandler. old chap."I know that." "But who knows?" said Ignatius Gallaher considerately." "And to clinch the bargain." Little Chandler smiled. That's agreed now.. isn't it?" "Yes. I have an a. My wife will be delighted to meet you. "Any youngsters?" said Ignatius Gallaher." "O. "before you go back." "Very well. in that case. But I must leave tomorrow night. Only for that. "Next year I may take a little skip over here now that I've broken the ice." said Little Chandler. "Is it to be the last?" he said. old man." said Little Chandler. "Because you know." Ignatius Gallaher slapped his friend sonorously on the back." he said." he said." said Ignatius Gallaher." he said.

"You'll put your head in the sack. to assert his manhood. When he had drunk he smacked his lips decisively. upset the equipoise of his sensitive nature. I mean to marry money. I believe. Gallaher was only patronising him by his friendliness just as he was patronising Ireland by his visit." Little Chandler ordered the drinks. He saw behind Gallaher's refusal of his invitation. he did not flinch from his friend's gaze. something higher than mere tawdry journalism if he only got the chance. Gallaher was his inferior in birth and education. my boy." He had slightly emphasised his tone and he was aware that he had betrayed himself." said Ignatius Gallaher. Ignatius Gallaher turned his orange tie and slate-blue eyes full upon his friend. He was sure that he could do something better than his friend had ever done. "Who knows?" he said. She'll have a good 47
. Three small whiskies had gone to his head and Gallaher's strong cigar had confused his mind. A trifle made him blush at any time: and now he felt warm and excited. "let us have another one as a deoc an doruis--that's good vernacular for a small whisky. "like everyone else if you can find the girl."Very well. set down his glass and said: "No blooming fear of that. The blush which had risen to his face a few moments before was establishing itself. He felt acutely the contrast between his own life and his friend's and it seemed to him unjust. The adventure of meeting Gallaher after eight years. Ignatius Gallaher. "You think so?" he said." said Little Chandler calmly. you may bet your bottom dollar there'll be no mooning and spooning about it. Little Chandler pushed one glass towards his friend and took up the other boldly. Ignatius Gallaher watched him for a few moments and then said: "If ever it occurs. as they lifted their glasses. I'm going to have my fling first and see a bit of life and the world before I put my head in the sack--if I ever do." "Some day you will. and Mrs. "When you come next year I may have the pleasure of wishing long life and happiness to Mr. but. The barman brought their drinks. then. of finding himself with Gallaher in Corless's surrounded by lights and noise." Ignatius Gallaher in the act of drinking closed one eye expressively over the rim of his glass. What was it that stood in his way? His unfortunate timidity He wished to vindicate himself in some way. though the colour had heightened in his cheek. for he was a delicate and abstinent person. or could ever do." repeated Little Chandler stoutly. of listening to Gallaher's stories and of sharing for a brief space Gallaher's vagrant and triumphant life.

Little Chandler sat in the room off the hall. standing at the counter and trying to appear at his ease while the girl piled ladies' blouses before him." He tossed his glass to his mouth. When he brought the blouse home Annie kissed him and said it was very pretty and stylish. paying at the desk and forgetting to take up the odd penny of his change. you know. I tell you. But Monica had gone home long ago." A little lamp with a white china shade stood upon the table and its light fell over a photograph which was enclosed in a frame of crumpled horn. striving to hide his blushes as he left the shop by examining the parcel to see if it was securely tied. Then he looked thoughtfully before him and said in a calmer tone: "But I'm in no hurry." he said. I don't fancy tying myself up to one woman. Of course she was in a bad humour and gave him short answers. See if I don't play my cards properly. Little Chandler looked at it. You wait a while my boy.fat account at the bank or she won't do for me.. and finally." Little Chandler shook his head. man alive. At first she wanted to take it back but when she tried it on she was delighted with it. but what an agony of nervousness it had cost him! How he had suffered that day. Little Chandler had come home late for tea and. It had cost him ten and elevenpence. waiting at the shop door until the shop was empty. You don't believe it? Well. moreover." said Ignatius Gallaher. but when she heard the price she threw the blouse on the table and said it was a regular swindle to charge ten and elevenpence for it. 48
. vehemently. There are hundreds--what am I saying?--thousands of rich Germans and Jews. Don't waken him." He imitated with his mouth the act of tasting and made a wry face. finished his drink and laughed loudly. She put the sleeping child deftly in his arms and said: "Here. "Must get a bit stale. When I go about a thing I mean business.. he had forgotten to bring Annie home the parcel of coffee from Bewley's. pausing at the thin tight lips. To save money they kept no servant but Annie's young sister Monica came for an hour or so in the morning and an hour or so in the evening to help. It was Annie's photograph. rotten with money. It was a quarter to nine. being called back by the cashier. "do you know what it is? I've only to say the word and tomorrow I can have the woman and the cash. that'd only be too glad. and kissed him and said he was very good to think of her. You just wait. I know it. She said she would do without any tea but when it came near the time at which the shop at the corner closed she decided to go out herself for a quarter of a pound of tea and two pounds of sugar.. holding a child in his arms. "Why. I should think. especially with the make of the sleeves. They can wait. She wore the pale blue summer blouse which he had brought her home as a present one Saturday.

If he could only write a book and get it published. he thought.. Whilst I return to view my Margaret's tomb And scatter flowers on the dust I love. The child awoke and began to cry.. express the melancholy of his soul in verse? There were so many things he wanted to describe: his sensation of a few hours before on Grattan Bridge. He couldn't read. He jumped up from his chair and walked hastily up and down the 49
. that might open the way for him. write like that. His arms trembled with anger and suddenly bending to the child's face he shouted: "Stop!" The child stopped for an instant.. He opened it cautiously with his left hand lest he should waken the child and began to read the first poem in the book: Hushed are the winds and still the evening gloom. He looked coldly into the eyes of the photograph and they answered coldly. A volume of Byron's poems lay before him on the table.. Annie had chosen it herself and it reminded hi of her. He paused.. Not e'en a Zephyr wanders through the grove. He rocked it faster while his eyes began to read the second stanza: Within this narrow cell reclines her clay. He thought of what Gallaher had said about rich Jewesses. He turned from the page and tried to hush it: but it would not be hushed. He began to rock it to and fro in his arms but its wailing cry grew keener. Why was it so unconscious and ladylike? The composure of the eyes irritated him. too. The wailing of the child pierced the drum of his ear. Those dark Oriental eyes. He found something mean in the pretty furniture which he had bought for his house on the hire system.. had a spasm of fright and began to scream. useless! He was a prisoner for life.. They repelled him and defied him: there was no passion in them. for example. A dull resentment against his life awoke within him. If he could get back again into that mood. Certainly they were pretty and the face itself was pretty. how full they are of passion. How melancholy it was! Could he. of voluptuous longing!. But he found something mean in it. It was useless. He couldn't do anything. That clay where once. It was useless. Why had he married the eyes in the photograph? He caught himself up at the question and glanced nervously round the room. It too was prim and pretty. He felt the rhythm of the verse about him in the room. Could he not escape from his little house? Was it too late for him to try to live bravely like Gallaher? Could he go to London? There was the furniture still to be paid for.Hm!. no rapture...

It began to sob piteously. glaring into his face. I couldn't. it's nothing.. Alleyne wants you upstairs. The door was burst open and a young woman ran in... clasping the child tightly in her arms and murmuring: "My little man! My little mannie! Was 'ou frightened." She flung her parcels on the floor and snatched the child from him. Little Chandler sustained for one moment the gaze of her eyes and his heart closed together as he met the hatred in them..... losing its breath for four or five seconds. He began to stammer: "It's nothing. he began to cry." The man muttered "Blast him!" under his breath and pushed back his chair 50
.. "What have you done to him?" she cried. and tears of remorse started to his eyes... saying to a man who was writing at a desk: "Mr. He looked at the contracted and quivering face of the child and began to be alarmed. There now!" Little Chandler felt his cheeks suffused with shame and he stood back out of the lamplight. He counted seven sobs without a break between them and caught the child to his breast in fright. hearing its mother's voice. when Miss Parker went to the tube. "What is it? What is it?" she cried.. Annie.. He listened while the paroxysm of the child's sobbing grew less and less. broke out into a paroxysm of sobbing.room with the child in his arms... love?. He tried to soothe it but it sobbed more convulsively.. The child. "It's nothing... What?" Giving no heed to him she began to walk up and down the room... He began to cry. Lambabaun! Mamma's little lamb of the world!.. and then bursting out anew... I didn't do anything..
COUNTERPARTS THE bell rang furiously and. a furious voice called out in a piercing North of Ireland accent: "Send Farrington here!" Miss Parker returned to her machine... He. The thin walls of the room echoed the sound. love! There now!. panting... There now. If it died!..

leaving after it a sharp sensation of thirst. Suddenly Mr. You have always some excuse or another for shirking work. passing by the clients. Alleyne might give him an order on the cashier. if he could get the copy done in time. The shrill voice cried: "Come in!" The man entered Mr.. I'd like to know. a little man wearing gold-rimmed glasses on a cleanshaven face." "But Mr. He went heavily upstairs until he came to the second landing. The middle of the month was passed and. Alleyne." Mr. he shot up his head again. dark wine-coloured. Here he halted.. A spasm of rage gripped his throat for a few moments and then passed.. The man recognised the sensation and felt that he must have a good night's drinking." "Do you hear me now?.. The head itself was so pink and hairless it seemed like a large egg reposing on the papers. Crosbie. Do you hear me now?" "Yes. sir. When he stood up he was tall and of great bulk. sir----" "Mr. Shelley said. Shelley says.. shot his head up over a pile of documents. He lifted up the counter and. puffing with labour and vexation. Simultaneously Mr.. sir. sir. Alleyne's room. saying: "Eh? Are you going to stand there all day? Upon my word.... as if he had been unaware of the man's presence till that moment. Farrington. Do you mind me now?" "Yes. Kindly attend to what I say and not to what Mr.. Alleyne did not lose a moment: "Farrington? What is the meaning of this? Why have I always to complain of you? May I ask you why you haven't made a copy of that contract between Bodley and Kirwan? I told you it must be ready by four o'clock. gauging its fragility. sir.. where a door bore a brass plate with the inscription Mr. with fair eyebrows and moustache: his eyes bulged forward slightly and the whites of them were dirty. Alleyne began to upset all the papers. and knocked. He stood still. Alleyne. Alleyne bent his head again upon his pile of papers. you take things easy!" 51
. Mr. He had a hanging face. Understand once for all that you get a half an hour for your lunch and not an hour and a half. Mr. How many courses do you want. Ay and another little matter! I might as well be talking to the wall as talking to you. gazing fixedly at the head upon the pile of papers. Then. searching for something. went out of the office with a heavy step. The man stared fixedly at the polished skull which directed the affairs of Crosbie & Alleyne. Shelley said. Let me tell you that if the contract is not copied before this evening I'll lay the matter before Mr.to stand up.

Alleyne has been calling for you. the colour of dark wine or dark meat. accompanied by a thick fog. From the street door he walked on furtively on the inner side of the path towards the corner and all at once dived into a doorway. he heard Mr. assuming an air of absentmindedness." The man walked heavily towards the door and." said the chief clerk severely. was gaining upon the dusk of February and the lamps in Eustace Street had been lit.p. he called out: "Here. He stood up from his desk and. but. lifting the counter as before. "It's all right. like a good fellow. As the clients were both male the chief clerk allowed himself a laugh.. and filling up the little window that looked into the bar with his inflamed face. As soon as he was on the landing the man pulled a shepherd's plaid cap out of his pocket. wondering whether he could finish his copy in time. leaving the curate to grope for it in the gloom. Pat.. Crosbie would hear of the matter. As he was passing out the chief clerk looked at him inquiringly. Darkness. On the stairs a moist pungent odour of perfumes saluted his nose: evidently Miss Delacour had come while he was out in O'Neill's."I was waiting to see. Well.. He took up his pen and dipped it in the ink but he continued to stare stupidly at the last words he had written: In no case shall the said Bernard Bodley be. as he went out of the room. The chief clerk glanced at the hat-rack. Go downstairs and do your work." "Very good.. "Where were you?" The man glanced at the two clients who were standing at the counter as if to intimate that their presence prevented him from answering. "I know that game. He put his penny on the counter and. give us a g. Shelley. The man went up by the houses until he reached the door of the office. passed out of the office." The curate brought him a glass of plain porter. "Mr. Mr. He felt that he must slake the thirst in his throat. pointing with his finger to indicate the objective of his journey." he said. "Five times in one day is a little bit. He returned to his desk in the lower office and counted the sheets which remained to be copied.. put it on his head and ran quickly down the rickety stairs. Alleyne cry after him that if the contract was not copied by evening Mr. He crammed his cap back again into his pocket and re-entered the office. seeing the row complete. The evening was falling and in a few minutes they would be lighting the gas: then he could write. retreated out of the snug as furtively as he had entered it. The man drank it at a gulp and asked for a caraway seed." said the man.. you needn't wait to see. you better look sharp and get a copy of our correspondence in the 52
.. He was now safe in the dark snug of O'Neill's shop. offered no remark.

He felt strong enough to clear out the whole office singlehanded. but when the clock struck five he had still fourteen pages to write.. Alleyne began a tirade of abuse. saying she would never have the letters typed in time for post. Alleyne's room. Alleyne tapped a finger on the correspondence and then flicked it towards him as if to say: "That's all right: you can go. Alleyne was said to be sweet on her or on her money. His imagination had so abstracted him that his name was called twice before he answered." This address in the presence of the public. He got out the Delacour correspondence and passed out of the office. The man got up from his desk. All the indignities of his life enraged him. It was a night for hot punches. The tirade continued: it was so bitter and violent that the man could hardly restrain his fist from descending upon the head of the manikin before 53
. saying that two letters were missing. The man answered that he knew nothing about them. he realised how hopeless was the task of finishing his copy of the contract before half past five. She came to the office often and stayed a long time when she came. Could he ask the cashier privately for an advance? No. Mr. Miss Delacour was a middle-aged woman of Jewish appearance. His body ached to do something. He stared intently at the incomplete phrase: In no case shall the said Bernard Bodley be. Mr. as he sat down at his desk to get what was required. Alleyne would not discover that the last two letters were missing. his run upstairs and the porter he had gulped down so hastily confused the man and.Delacour case for Mr. He longed to execrate aloud.. Alleyne. She was sitting beside his desk now in an aroma of perfumes. to rush out and revel in violence. smoothing the handle of her umbrella and nodding the great black feather in her hat. and thought how strange it was that the last three words began with the same letter. Mr. The moist pungent perfume lay all the way up to Mr. The man put the correspondence on the desk and bowed respectfully but neither Mr. The man listened to the clicking of the machine for a few minutes and then set to work to finish his copy. Mr.. the cashier was no good. Alleyne nor Miss Delacour took any notice of his bow. no damn good: he wouldn't give an advance. Mr." The man returned to the lower office and sat down again at his desk. He was so enraged that he wrote Bernard Bernard instead of Bernard Bodley and had to begin again on a clean sheet. The barometer of his emotional nature was set for a spell of riot... Alleyne had swivelled his chair round to face her and thrown his right foot jauntily upon his left knee. to bring his fist down on something violently.. He hoped Mr. But his head was not clear and his mind wandered away to the glare and rattle of the public-house. The chief clerk began to hurry Miss Parker. He struggled on with his copy. Alleyne and Miss Delacour were standing outside the counter and all the clerks had turn round in anticipation of something. that he had made a faithful copy.. The dark damp night was coming and he longed to spend it in the bars. He knew where he would meet the boys: Leonard and O'Halloran and Nosey Flynn. drinking with his friends amid the glare of gas and the clatter of glasses. Blast it! He couldn't finish it in time..

Alleyne. A man with two establishments to keep up. I'm telling you. Could he not keep his tongue in his cheek? But they had never pulled together from the first. Alleyne had hounded little Peake out of the office in order to make room for his own nephew. of course he couldn't. Alleyne. It was no use trying to say a word to him when he was with the chief clerk. Alleyne flushed to the hue of a wild rose and his mouth twitched with a dwarf s passion. he and Mr.p." he said stupidly.. Everyone was astounded (the author of the witticism no less than his neighbours) and Miss Delacour. or you'll apologise to me!"
He stood in a doorway opposite the office watching to see if the cashier would come out alone. as he was fingering his watch-chain. "do you take me for a fool? Do you think me an utter fool?" The man glanced from the lady's face to the little egg-shaped head and back again. That was the dart! Why didn't 54
. "Tell me. He felt his great body again aching for the comfort of the public-house. He felt savage and thirsty and revengeful. Yet he must get money somewhere or other: he had spent his last penny for the g. sir. almost before he was aware of it. Alleyne for his impertinence but he knew what a hornet's nest the office would be for him. ever since the day Mr. He shook his fist in the man's face till it seemed to vibrate like the knob of some electric machine: "You impertinent ruffian! You impertinent ruffian! I'll make short work of you! Wait till you see! You'll apologise to me for your impertinence or you'll quit the office instanter! You'll quit this." said Mr. The fog had begun to chill him and he wondered could he touch Pat in O'Neill's. but sure Higgins never had anything for himself." There was a pause in the very breathing of the clerks. He had made a proper fool of himself this time.him: "I know nothing about any other two letters. Of course you know nothing. He could remember the way in which Mr. Alleyne had overheard him mimicking his North of Ireland accent to amuse Higgins and Miss Parker: that had been the beginning of it. and. He might have tried Higgins for the money. his tongue had found a felicitous moment: "I don't think. glancing first for approval to the lady beside him.. he thought of Terry Kelly's pawn-office in Fleet Street. who was a stout amiable person. annoyed with himself and with everyone else. Mr." he added. Alleyne would never give him an hour's rest. and soon it would be too late for getting money anywhere.. began to smile broadly. "You--know--nothing. Mr. He could not touch him for more than a bob--and a bob was no use. He had been obliged to offer an abject apology to Mr. The man felt that his position was bad enough. "that that's a fair question to put to me. his life would be a hell to him. Suddenly." he said. All the clerks passed out and finally the cashier came out with the chief clerk.

Rain was drizzling down on the cold streets and. so the whole party left the shop somewhat regretfully. smiling and at times drawing forth stray drops of liquor from his moustache with the aid of his lower lip. Everyone roared laughing when he showed the way in which Mr. The man passed through the crowd. when they reached the Ballast Office. At the corner of Duke Street Higgins and Nosey Flynn bevelled off to the left while the other three turned back towards the city. Alleyne shook his fist in Farrington's face. When that round was over there was a pause. As he walked on he preconsidered the terms in which he would narrate the incident to the boys: "So. and he did so with great vivacity for the sight of five small hot whiskies was very exhilarating. of the coins between his thumb and fingers. saying. saying it was as smart a thing as ever he heard." Nosey Flynn was sitting up in his usual corner of Davy Byrne's and. The men asked him to give his version of it. The clerk in Terry Kelly's said A crown! but the consignor held out for six shillings. muttering to himself that they could all go to hell because he was going to have a good night of it. Farrington stood a drink all round. 'I don't think that that's a fair question to put to me. looking on the spectacle generally with proud satisfaction and staring masterfully at the office-girls. making a little cylinder. His head was full of the noises of tram-gongs and swishing trolleys and his nose already sniffed the curling fumes punch. as cool as you please. He came out of the pawn-office joyfully. "And here was my nabs.' says I. you know. O'Halloran had money but neither of the other two seemed to have any. Then he imitated Farrington. Leonard introduced them to a young fellow named Weathers who was performing at the Tivoli as an acrobat and knockabout artiste. In Westmoreland Street the footpaths were crowded with young men and women returning from business and ragged urchins ran here and there yelling out the names of the evening editions. as the retort was after the manner of the liberal shepherds in the eclogues. Just as they were naming their poisons who should come in but Higgins! Of course he had to join in with the others. Weathers said he would take 55
. when he heard the story. you know. O'Halloran stood tailors of malt. he stood Farrington a half-one. all round and told the story of the retort he had made to the chief clerk when he was in Callan's of Fownes's Street. They began to exchange stories. and looked at her." while Farrington looked at the company out of his heavy dirty eyes. After a while O'Halloran and Paddy Leonard came in and the story was repeated to them. hot.he think of it sooner? He went through the narrow alley of Temple Bar quickly. At this Farrington told the boys to polish off that and have another. he had to admit that it was not as clever as Farrington's retort. and in the end the six shillings was allowed him literally. I just looked at him--coolly. Farrington stood a drink in his turn. Farrington suggested the Scotch House. The three men pushed past the whining match-sellers at the door and formed a little party at the corner of the counter. The bar was full of men and loud with the noise of tongues and glasses. but. Then I looked back at him again--taking my time.

O'Halloran said that he and Leonard would go. The oblique staring expression in them fascinated him. There was something striking in her appearance. reaching to the elbow. pardon!" in a London accent. but the boys told Tim to make theirs hot. when the party was leaving the room. Weathers made them all have just one little tincture at his expense and promised to meet them later on at Mulligan's in Poolbeg Street. Weathers protesting that the hospitality was too Irish. O'Halloran stood a round and then Farrington stood another round. An immense scarf of peacock-blue muslin was wound round her hat and knotted in a great bow under her chin. who had definite notions of what was what. Weathers was showing his biceps muscle to the company and boasting so much that the other two had called on Farrington to uphold the national honour. particularly all the whiskies and Apolinaris which he had stood to Weathers. After about thirty seconds Weathers brought his opponent's hand slowly down on to the table. They went into the parlour at the back and O'Halloran ordered small hot specials all round. He watched her leave the room in the hope that she would look back at him. she answered his gaze he admired still more her large dark brown eyes. She glanced at him once or twice and. Much to Farrington's relief he drank a glass of bitter this time. The table was cleared and the two men rested their elbows on it. but he was disappointed. Weathers saluted them and told the company that they were out of the Tivoli. When Paddy Leonard said "Go!" each was to try to bring down the other's hand on to the table. and she wore bright yellow gloves. clasping hands. Funds were getting low but they had enough to keep them going. When the Scotch House closed they went round to Mulligan's. but that Farrington wouldn't go because he was a married man. 56
. Farrington gazed admiringly at the plump arm which she moved very often and with much grace. she brushed against his chair and said "O. and Farrington's heavy dirty eyes leered at the company in token that he understood he was being chaffed. after a little time. The trial began. If there was one thing that he hated it was a sponge. and when. Farrington pulled up his sleeve accordingly and showed his biceps muscle to the company. When Paddy Leonard called him he found that they were talking about feats of strength.a small Irish and Apollinaris. They were all beginning to feel mellow. Presently two young women with big hats and a young man in a check suit came in and sat at a table close by. He cursed his want of money and cursed all the rounds he had stood. Farrington was just standing another round when Weathers came back. The talk became theatrical. He was so angry that he lost count of the conversation of his friends. Farrington's eyes wandered at every moment in the direction of one of the young women. Farrington looked very serious and determined. The two arms were examined and compared and finally it was agreed to have a trial of strength. asked the boys would they have an Apollinaris too. Farrington. He promised to get them in behind the scenes and introduce them to some nice girls. Farrington's dark wine-coloured face flushed darker still with anger and humiliation at having been defeated by such a stripling.

"Pony up. They had five children. peering through the darkness. Play fair. He had done for himself in the office. The veins stood out on Farrington's forehead. He loathed returning to his home. He began to feel thirsty again and he longed to be back again in the hot reeking public-house. nodded his red head towards the victor and said with stupid familiarity: "Ah! that's the knack!" "What the hell do you know about it?" said Farrington fiercely. The two best out of three. When he went in by the side-door he found the kitchen empty and the kitchen fire nearly out. he did not even feel drunk. "What do you put in your gab for?" "Sh. After a long struggle Weathers again brought his opponent's hand slowly on to the table. He cursed everything. and he had not even got drunk. His tram let him down at Shelbourne Road and he steered his great body along in the shadow of the wall of the barracks. Their hands and arms trembled under the stress." "Who are you? Charlie?" 57
. He was full of smouldering anger and revengefulness. having been defeated twice by a mere boy. We'll have just one little smahan more and then we'll be off. pa. and the pallor of Weathers' complexion changed to peony. who was standing beside the table. A little boy came running down the stairs." The trial began again. His heart swelled with fury and. sh!" said O'Halloran." he said. There was a murmur of applause from the spectators. He felt humiliated and discontented. when he thought of the woman in the big hat who had brushed against him and said Pardon! his fury nearly choked him. He had lost his reputation as a strong man. The curate. and he had only twopence in his pocket. spent all his money. "Who's not playing fair?" said the other. He bawled upstairs: "Ada! Ada!" His wife was a little sharp-faced woman who bullied her husband when he was sober and was bullied by him when he was drunk. pawned his watch. turning on the man. "Who is that?" said the man."You're not to put the weight of your body behind it."
A very sullen-faced man stood at the corner of O'Connell Bridge waiting for the little Sandymount tram to take him home. observing the violent expression of Farrington's face. "Me. "Come on again. boys.

. but the man followed him and caught him by the coat. Tom. I'll say a Hail Mary for you... pa!" he cried. pa." said the little boy." "That's right.. "Now.. to cook it.. fell upon his knees. The little boy cried "O. pa. He began to mimic his son's flat accent. Did she think of leaving any dinner for me?" "Yes.. saying half to himself: "At the chapel." "Where's your mother?" "She's out at the chapel. pa. pa! And I'll. "I'll teach you to let the fire out!" he said..."No. rolling up his sleeve in order to give his arm free play. The man jumped up furiously and pointed to the fire. pa. He clasped his hands together in the air and his voice shook with fright. At the chapel."
CLAY THE matron had given her leave to go out as soon as the women's tea was over and Maria looked forward to her evening out.. The little boy looked about him wildly but. I'll teach you to do that again!" He took a step to the door and seized the walking-stick which was standing behind it.. you little whelp!" The boy uttered a squeal of pain as the stick cut his thigh. The kitchen was 58
. seeing no way of escape. I--" "Light the lamp. you'll let the fire out the next time!" said the man striking at him vigorously with the stick. What do you mean by having the place in darkness? Are the other children in bed?" The man sat down heavily on one of the chairs while the little boy lit the lamp. "On that fire! You let the fire out! By God. I'll say a Hail Mary. pa!" and ran whimpering round the table.. "O. if you don't beat me.. I'll say a Hail Mary for you... "Take that. if you please!" When the lamp was lit he banged his fist on the table and shouted: "What's for my dinner?" "I'm going. "Don't beat me..

There was one thing she didn't like and that was the tracts on the walks. And Ginger Mooney was always saying what she wouldn't do to the dummy who had charge of the irons if it wasn't for Maria." After the break-up at home the boys had got her that position in the Dublin by Lamplight laundry. my dear. wiping their steaming hands in their petticoats and pulling down the sleeves of their blouses over their red steaming arms. They settled down before their huge mugs which the cook 59
. very small person indeed but she had a very long nose and a very long chin. She took out her purse with the silver clasps and read again the words A Present from Belfast. always soothingly: "Yes. Joe was a good fellow. twenty minutes. whenever anyone came to visit her. Maria was a very. She was very fond of that purse because Joe had brought it to her five years before when he and Alphy had gone to Belfast on a Whit-Monday trip." and "No. but if you went closer you would see that they had been cut into long thick even slices and were ready to be handed round at tea. twenty minutes. In a few minutes the women began to come in by twos and threes. and she liked it. She had lovely ferns and wax-plants and. She had nursed him and Alphy too. Often he had wanted her to go and live with them. so genteel. a little quiet and serious. These barmbracks seemed uncut. The women would have their tea at six o'clock and she would be able to get away before seven. and Joe used often say: "Mamma is mamma but Maria is my proper mother." She was always sent for when the women quarrelled Over their tubs and always succeeded in making peace. Everyone was so fond of Maria. The fire was nice and bright and on one of the side-tables were four very big barmbracks. When the cook told her everything was ready she went into the women's room and began to pull the big bell. and twenty minutes to buy the things. you are a veritable peace-maker!" And the sub-matron and two of the Board ladies had heard the compliment.-but she would have felt herself in the way (though Joe's wife was ever so nice with her) and she had become accustomed to the life of the laundry. He was so different when he took any drink. but still very nice people to live with. What a nice evening they would have. In the purse were two half-crowns and some coppers. but the matron was such a nice person to deal with. from the Pillar to Drumcondra. Then she had her plants in the conservatory and she liked looking after them. She talked a little through her nose. From Ballsbridge to the Pillar. She would be there before eight. She would have five shillings clear after paying tram fare. One day the matron had said to her: "Maria.spick and span: the cook said you could see yourself in the big copper boilers. she always gave the visitor one or two slips from her conservatory. my dear. all the children singing! Only she hoped that Joe wouldn't come in drunk. She used to have such a bad opinion of Protestants but now she thought they were very nice people. Maria had cut them herself.

She decided to buy some plumcake but Downes's plumcake had not enough almond icing on top of it so she went over to a shop in Henry Street. Maria had to laugh and say she didn't want any ring or man either.and the dummy filled up with hot tea. and she looked with quaint affection at the diminutive body which she had so often adorned. When she got outside the streets were shining with rain and she was glad of her old brown waterproof. as she stood before the mirror. Here she was a long time in suiting herself and the stylish young lady behind the counter. In spite of its years she found it a nice tidy little body. Then she thought what else would she buy: she wanted to buy something really nice. They would be sure to have plenty of apples and nuts. But wasn't Maria glad when the women had finished their tea and the cook and the dummy had begun to clear away the tea-things! She went into her little bedroom and. They were always falling out now but when they were boys together they used to be the best of friends: but such was life. That made Maria blush and smile at the young lady. remembering that the next morning was a mass morning. who was evidently a little annoyed by her. and when she laughed her grey-green eyes sparkled with disappointed shyness and the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin. parcelled it up and said: 60
. She got out of her tram at the Pillar and ferreted her way quickly among the crowds. and said she was sorry she hadn't a sup of porter to drink it in. She arranged in her mind all she was going to do and thought how much better it was to be independent and to have your own money in your pocket. changed the hand of the alarm from seven to six. and at last came out of the shop laden with a big bag. Maria superintended the distribution of the barmbrack and saw that every woman got her four slices. It was hard to know what to buy and all she could think of was cake. She changed her blouse too and. she thought of how she used to dress for mass on Sunday morning when she was a young girl. She bought a dozen of mixed penny cakes. asked her was it wedding-cake she wanted to buy. Lizzie Fleming said Maria was sure to get the ring and. Then she took off her working skirt and her house-boots and laid her best skirt out on the bed and her tiny dress-boots beside the foot of the bed. though Fleming had said that for so many Hallow Eves. She went into Downes's cake-shop but the shop was so full of people that it was a long time before she could get herself attended to. facing all the people. The tram was full and she had to sit on the little stool at the end of the car. And Maria laughed again till the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin and till her minute body nearly shook itself asunder because she knew that Mooney meant well though. but the young lady took it all very seriously and finally cut a thick slice of plumcake. She hoped they would have a nice evening. of course. already mixed with milk and sugar in huge tin cans. She was sure they would but she could not help thinking what a pity it was Alphy and Joe were not speaking. she had the notions of a common woman. with her toes barely touching the floor. Then Ginger Mooney lifted her mug of tea and proposed Maria's health while all the other women clattered with their mugs on the table. There was a great deal of laughing and joking during the meal.

The gentleman began to chat with her about Hallow Eve and the rainy weather. Then the two next-door girls handed round the nuts. Alphy. Everybody said: "O."Two-and-four. he had a square red face and a greyish moustache. Donnelly played the piano for the children and they danced and sang. There were two big girls in from next door and games were going on. Then she asked all the children had any of them eaten it--by mistake. Maria. please. He was very nice with her. remembering how confused the gentleman with the greyish moustache had made her. She tried in Downes's bag and then in the pockets of her waterproof and then on the hallstand but nowhere could she find it. she thought how easy it was to know a gentleman even when he has a drop taken. He was a stout gentleman and he wore a brown hard hat. Everybody had a solution for the mystery and Mrs. something they would be sure to like. here's Maria!" when she came to Joe's house. repeating for her a smart answer which he had made to the manager. and she began to look for her plumcake. Maria agreed with him and favoured him with demure nods and hems. and all the children had their Sunday dresses on. He was very nice with her. He supposed the bag was full of good things for the little ones and said it was only right that the youngsters should enjoy themselves while they were young. that he was a decent sort so long as you didn't rub him the wrong way. Nobody could find the nutcrackers and Joe was nearly getting cross over it and asked how did they expect Maria to crack nuts without a nutcracker. Maria. Joe said he wasn't so bad when you knew how to take him. and he bowed to her and raised his hat and smiled agreeably. of course--but the children all said no and looked as if they did not like to eat cakes if they were to be accused of stealing. Maria thought he was a colonel-looking gentleman and she reflected how much more polite he was than the young men who simply stared straight before them. Then Joe asked would she take a bottle of stout and Mrs." But Maria said she had brought something special for papa and mamma. He told her all that went on in his office. Joe was there. having come home from business. Maria gave the bag of cakes to the eldest boy. bending her tiny head under the rain. But Maria said she didn't like nuts and that they weren't to bother about her. Maria did not understand why Joe laughed so much over the answer he had made but she said that the manager must have been a very overbearing person to deal with. At the thought of the failure of her little surprise and of the two and fourpence she had thrown away for nothing she nearly cried outright. Mrs. and when she was getting out at the Canal Bridge she thanked him and bowed." She thought she would have to stand in the Drumcondra tram because none of the young men seemed to notice her but an elderly gentleman made room for her. to divide and Mrs. and while she was going up along the terrace. Donnelly said it was plain that Maria had left it behind her in the tram. But Joe said it didn't matter and made her sit down by the fire. Donnelly said 61
. coloured with shame and vexation and disappointment. Donnelly said it was too good of her to bring such a big bag of cakes and made all the children say: "Thanks.

She said they were all very good to her. So Maria let him have his way and they sat by the fire talking over old times and Maria thought she would put in a good word for Alphy.there was port wine too in the house if she would prefer that. Donnelly said something very cross to one of the next-door girls and told her to throw it out at once: that was no play. Donnelly played Miss McCloud's Reel for the children and Joe made Maria take a glass of wine. and when she came to the second verse she sang again:
I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls 62
. They led her up to the table amid laughing and joking and she put her hand out in the air as she was told to do. I know all about it! They insisted then on blindfolding Maria and leading her up to the table to see what she would get. Maria said she would rather they didn't ask her to take anything: but Joe insisted. one of the old songs. so full of pleasant talk and reminiscences. One got the prayer-book and the other three got the water. After that Mrs. please. Donnelly bade the children be quiet and listen to Maria's song. The next-door girls put some saucers on the table and then led the children up to the table. She moved her hand about here and there in the air and descended on one of the saucers. Then she played the prelude and said "Now. Maria laughed and laughed again till the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin. and then a great deal of scuffling and whispering. and when one of the next-door girls got the ring Mrs. But Joe said he would not lose his temper on account of the night it was and asked his wife to open some more stout. But Joe cried that God might strike him stone dead if ever he spoke a word to his brother again and Maria said she was sorry she had mentioned the matter. Mrs. and at last Mrs. Mrs. Donnelly told her husband it was a great shame for him to speak that way of his own flesh and blood but Joe said that Alphy was no brother of his and there was nearly being a row on the head of it. There was a pause for a few seconds. The two next-door girls had arranged some Hallow Eve games and soon everything was merry again. Donnelly said "Do. Donnelly said Maria would enter a convent before the year was out because she had got the prayer-book. Somebody said something about the garden. Soon they were all quite merry again and Mrs. blushing very much began to sing in a tiny quavering voice. Donnelly shook her finger at the blushing girl as much as to say: O. Maria!" and Maria. She felt a soft wet substance with her fingers and was surprised that nobody spoke or took off her bandage. blindfold. She sang I Dreamt that I Dwelt. At last the children grew tired and sleepy and Joe asked Maria would she not sing some little song before she went. Mrs. Maria had never seen Joe so nice to her as he was that night. and. Maria was delighted to see the children so merry and Joe and his wife in such good spirits. Maria!" and so Maria had to get up and stand beside the piano. Maria understood that it was wrong that time and so she had to do it over again: and this time she got the prayer-book. while they were putting on the bandage.

JAMES DUFFY lived in Chapelizod because he wished to live as far as possible from the city of which he was a citizen and because he found all the other suburbs of Dublin mean. a fender and irons and a square table on which lay a double desk. The lofty walls of his uncarpeted room were free from pictures. and when she had ended her song Joe was very much moved. a coal-scuttle. In these sheets a sentence was inscribed from time to time and. He said that there was no time like the long ago and no music for him like poor old Balfe. which pleased me most. The bed was clothed with white bedclothes and a black and scarlet rug covered the foot. His cheekbones 63
. was of the brown tint of Dublin streets. On lifting the lid of the desk a faint fragrance escaped--the fragrance of new cedarwood pencils or of a bottle of gum or of an overripe apple which might have been left there and forgotten. four cane chairs. A little hand-mirror hung above the washstand and during the day a white-shaded lamp stood as the sole ornament of the mantelpiece. A bookcase had been made in an alcove by means of shelves of white wood. the headline of an advertisement for Bile Beans had been pasted on to the first sheet. Duffy abhorred anything which betokened physical or mental disorder. On his long and rather large head grew dry black hair and a tawny moustache did not quite cover an unamiable mouth. He lived in an old sombre house and from his windows he could look into the disused distillery or upwards along the shallow river on which Dublin is built. In the desk lay a manuscript translation of Hauptmann's Michael Kramer. Mr. The books on the white wooden shelves were arranged from below upwards according to bulk. could boast Of a high ancestral name. A mediaeval doctor would have called him saturnine. modern and pretentious. an iron washstand. That you loved me still the same. whatever other people might say. which carried the entire tale of his years. in an ironical moment. But I also dreamt. and his eyes filled up so much with tears that he could not find what he was looking for and in the end he had to ask his wife to tell him where the corkscrew was. And of all who assembled within those walls That I was the hope and the pride. He had himself bought every article of furniture in the room: a black iron bedstead. and a little sheaf of papers held together by a brass pin. His face. the stage directions of which were written in purple ink. Writing materials were always on the desk. sewn into the cloth cover of a notebook. A complete Wordsworth stood at one end of the lowest shelf and a copy of the Maynooth Catechism.
A PAINFUL CASE MR.With vassals and serfs at my side. I had riches too great to count. stood at one end of the top shelf. a clothes-rack. But no one tried to show her her mistake.

He allowed himself to think that in certain circumstances he would rob his hank but. Their gaze began with a defiant note but was confused by what seemed a deliberate swoon of the pupil into the iris. as these circumstances never arose. Her face. He lived his spiritual life without any communion with others. looking at the world from under their tawny eyebrows. and her astrakhan jacket. had remained intelligent. this half-disclosed nature fell again under the reign of prudence. The house. visiting his relatives at Christmas and escorting them to the cemetery when they died. One evening he found himself sitting beside two ladies in the Rotunda. carrying a stout hazel. thinly peopled and silent. He never gave alms to beggars and walked firmly. He was surprised that she seemed so little awkward. church nor creed.also gave his face a harsh character. He lived at a little distance from his body. His evenings were spent either before his landlady's piano or roaming about the outskirts of the city. regarding his own acts with doubtful side-glasses. He had an odd autobiographical habit which led him to compose in his mind from time to time a short sentence about himself containing a subject in the third person and a predicate in the past tense." He took the remark as an invitation to talk. While they talked he tried to fix her permanently in his memory. He dined in an eating-house in George's Street where he felt himself safe from the society o Dublin's gilded youth and where there was a certain plain honesty in the bill of fare. gave the impression of a man ever alert to greet a redeeming instinct in others but often disappointed. but there was no harshness in the eyes which. At midday he went to Dan Burke's and took his lunch--a bottle of lager beer and a small trayful of arrowroot biscuits. moulding a bosom of a certain fullness. The eyes were very dark blue and steady. revealing for an instant a temperament of great sensibility. gave distressing prophecy of failure. It was an oval face with strongly marked features. He performed these two social duties for old dignity's sake but conceded nothing further to the conventions which regulate the civic life. his life rolled out evenly--an adventureless tale. He had been for many years cashier of a private bank in Baggot Street. which must have been handsome. He met her again a few weeks afterwards at a concert in Earlsfort Terrace and seized the moments when her daughter's attention was diverted to become intimate. The pupil reasserted itself quickly. When he learned that the young girl beside her was her daughter he judged her to be a year or so younger than himself. At four o'clock he was set free. His liking for Mozart's music brought him sometimes to an opera or a concert: these were the only dissipations of his life. The lady who sat next him looked round at the deserted house once or twice and then said: "What a pity there is such a poor house tonight! It's so hard on people to have to sing to empty benches. struck the note of defiance more definitely. She alluded once or twice to her husband 64
. He had neither companions nor friends. Every morning he came in from Chapelizod by tram.

as he attached the fervent nature of his companion more and more closely to him. To compete with phrasemongers. thinking that his daughter's hand was in question. he asked her. insisting on the soul's incurable loneliness. This was the first of many meetings.but her tone was not such as to make the allusion a warning. He lent her books. emotionalised his mental life. He thought that in her eyes he would ascend to an angelical stature. finding that they were compelled to meet stealthily. he told her. refraining from lighting the lamp. he said. Her companionship was like a warm soil about an exotic. As the husband was often away and the daughter out giving music lessons Mr. wore away the rough edges of his character. The workmen's discussions. they met always in the evening and chose the most quiet quarters for their walks together. would be likely to strike Dublin for some centuries. Duffy. Many times she allowed the dark to fall upon them. he heard the strange impersonal voice which he recognised as his own. He felt that they were hard-featured realists and that they resented an exactitude which was the produce of a leisure not within their reach. Her husband was captain of a mercantile boat plying between Dublin and Holland. With almost maternal solicitude she urged him to let his nature open to the full: she became his confessor. He told her that for some time he had assisted at the meetings of an Irish Socialist Party where he had felt himself a unique figure amidst a score of sober workmen in a garret lit by an inefficient oil-lamp. each under its own leader and in its own garret. She asked him why did he not write out his thoughts. incapable of thinking consecutively for sixty seconds? To submit himself to the criticisms of an obtuse middle class which entrusted its morality to policemen and its fine arts to impresarios? He went often to her little cottage outside Dublin. The dark discreet room. He had dismissed his wife so sincerely from his gallery of pleasures that he did not suspect that anyone else would take an interest in her. The end 65
. No social revolution. it said: we are our own. with careful scorn. as their thoughts entangled. they spoke of subjects less remote. often they spent their evenings alone. were too timorous. shared his intellectual life with her. he had discontinued his attendances. She came. When the party had divided into three sections. the music that still vibrated in their ears united them. She listened to all. Duffy had many opportunities of enjoying the lady's society. Sometimes in return for his theories she gave out some fact of her own life. Meeting her a third time by accident he found courage to make an appointment. the interest they took in the question of wages was inordinate. their isolation. Mr. Little by little. For what. Sometimes he caught himself listening to the sound of his own voice. and. however. Her name was Mrs. Neither he nor she had had any such adventure before and neither was conscious of any incongruity. We cannot give ourselves. Captain Sinico encouraged his visits. he forced her to ask him to her house. Her husband's great-great-grandfather had come from Leghorn. Sinico. This union exalted him. Little by little he entangled his thoughts with hers. provided her with ideas. and they had one child. had a distaste for underhand ways and.

fearing another collapse on her part. almost with a sighing sound. His eyes fixed themselves on a paragraph in the evening paper which he had propped against the water-carafe. taking the paper from his pocket. Mrs. Mr. He read it not aloud. then he wrote to her asking her to meet him. One of his sentences. He said it was very good and ate a few mouthfuls of it with difficulty. When he reached his house he went up at once to his bedroom and. As he did not wish their last interview to be troubled by the influence of their ruined confessional they meet in a little cakeshop near the Parkgate. His room still bore witness of the orderliness of his mind. Four years passed. He replaced the morsel of food on his plate and read the paragraph attentively. Sinico. but here she began to tremble so violently that. A few days later he received a parcel containing his books and music. He did not visit her for a week. but moving his lips as a priest does when he reads the prayers Secreto. is a bond to sorrow. His stick struck the ground less emphatically and his breath. he said. Then he paid his bill and went out. He wrote seldom in the sheaf of papers which lay in his desk. Then he drank a glass of water. he bade her good-bye quickly and left her. The girl came over to him to ask was his dinner not properly cooked. When they came out of the Park they walked in silence towards the tram. Sinico caught up his hand passionately and pressed it to her cheek. Mr. The cabbage began to deposit a cold white grease on his plate. This was the paragraph:
66
. read: Love between man and man is impossible because there must not be sexual intercourse and friendship between man and woman is impossible because there must be sexual intercourse. the junior partner of the bank retired. He walked along quickly through the November twilight. read the paragraph again by the failing light of the window. the fringe of the buff Mail peeping out of a side-pocket of his tight reefer overcoat. Duffy was very much surprised. doubled the paper down before him between his elbows and read the paragraph over and over again. condensed in the wintry air. He kept away from concerts lest he should meet her. written two months after his last interview with Mrs. Her interpretation of his words disillusioned him. And still every morning he went into the city by tram and every evening walked home from the city after having dined moderately in George's Street and read the evening paper for dessert. his stout hazel stick striking the ground regularly. issuing irregularly. It was cold autumn weather but in spite of the cold they wandered up and down the roads of the Park for nearly three hours. On the lonely road which leads from the Parkgate to Chapelizod he slackened his pace.of these discourses was that one night during which she had shown every sign of unusual excitement. They agreed to break off their intercourse: every bond. Duffy returned to his even way of life. Some new pieces of music encumbered the music-stand in the lower room and on his shelves stood two volumes by Nietzsche: Thus Spake Zarathustra and The Gay Science. His father died. pushed his plate to one side. One evening as he was about to put a morsel of corned beef and cabbage into his mouth his hand stopped.

The deceased had been in the habit of crossing the lines late at night from platform to platform and. Patterson Finlay. both by placing notices in every station and by the use of patent spring gates at level crossings. stated that the deceased had two lower ribs fractured and had sustained severe contusions of the right shoulder. The injuries were not sufficient to have caused death in a normal person. had been probably due to shock and sudden failure of the heart's action. aged forty-three years. while attempting to cross the line. The company had always taken every precaution to prevent people crossing the lines except by the bridges. but. "Yes. before he could reach her. H. thereby sustaining injuries of the head and right side which led to her death. On hearing the guard's whistle he set the train in motion and a second or two afterwards brought it to rest in response to loud cries. Emily Sinico. expressed his deep regret at the accident. Leverett) held an inquest on the body of Mrs. also gave evidence. assistant house surgeon of the City of Dublin Hospital. He stated that the deceased was his wife. He had the body taken to the waiting-room pending the arrival of the ambulance. she was caught by the buffer of the engine and fell to the ground. in view of certain other circumstances of the case. He was not in Dublin at the time of the accident as he had arrived only that morning from Rotterdam. Sydney Parade. on behalf of the railway company. Dunne. in his opinion. stated that as the train was about to start he observed a woman attempting to cross the lines. The evidence showed that the deceased lady. Captain Sinico. A juror. railway porter. The right side of the head had been injured in the fall. "You saw the lady fall?" Witness. The train was going slowly. B. Dr. was knocked down by the engine of the ten o'clock slow train from Kingstown. Death. he did not think the railway officials were to blame. driver of the engine. Mr. of Leoville." Police Sergeant Croly deposed that when he arrived he found the deceased lying on the platform apparently dead. stated that he had been in the employment of the railway company for fifteen years. P. James Lennon. He ran towards her and shouted.DEATH OF A LADY AT SYDNEY PARADE A PAINFUL CASE
Today at the City of Dublin Hospital the Deputy Coroner (in the absence of Mr. Constable 57 corroborated. They had been married for twenty-two years and had lived happily until about two years ago when his wife began to be 67
. husband of the deceased. who was killed at Sydney Parade Station yesterday evening. Halpin.

Not merely had she degraded herself. an easy prey to habits. without any strength of purpose. Duffy sat on his stool and gazed at them. The proprietor sprawled on the counter reading the Herald and yawning. he realised that she was 68
.
Mr. He urged on the railway company to take strong measures to prevent the possibility of similar accidents in the future. When he came to the public-house at Chapelizod Bridge he went in and ordered a hot punch. But that she could have sunk so low! Was it possible he had deceived himself so utterly about her? He remembered her outburst of that night and interpreted it in a harsher sense than he had ever done. As the light failed and his memory began to wander he thought her hand touched his. Just God. No blame attached to anyone. without seeing or hearing them. Mr. she had degraded him. The threadbare phrases. miserable and malodorous. the cautious words of a reporter won over to conceal the details of a commonplace vulgar death attacked his stomach. witness. He put on his overcoat and hat quickly and went out. What an end! The whole narrative of her death revolted him and it revolted him to think that he had ever spoken to her of what he held sacred. The river lay quiet beside the empty distillery and from time to time a light appeared in some house on the Lucan road. one of the wrecks on which civilisation has been reared. The Deputy Coroner said it was a most painful case. The proprietor served him obsequiously but did not venture to talk. He saw the squalid tract of her vice. Miss Mary Sinico said that of late her mother had been in the habit of going out at night to buy spirits. Duffy raised his eyes from the paper and gazed out of his window on the cheerless evening landscape. She was not at home until an hour after the accident. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence and exonerated Lennon from all blame. spitting often on the floor and sometimes dragging the sawdust over their spits with their heavy boots. Now and again a tram was heard swishing along the lonely road outside. There were five or six workingmen in the shop discussing the value of a gentleman's estate in County Kildare They drank at intervals from their huge pint tumblers and smoked. As he sat there. After a while they went out and he called for another punch. His soul's companion! He thought of the hobbling wretches whom he had seen carrying cans and bottles to be filled by the barman. and expressed great sympathy with Captain Sinico and his daughter. He sat a long time over it. the inane expressions of sympathy. living over his life with her and evoking alternately the two images in which he now conceived her.rather intemperate in her habits. it crept into the sleeves of his coat. The cold air met him on the threshold. She. what an end! Evidently she had been unfit to live. The shop was very quiet. He had no difficulty now in approving of the course he had taken. had often tried to reason with her mother and had induced her to join a League. The shock which had first attacked his stomach was now attacking his nerves.

He had done what seemed to him best. He could hear nothing: the night was perfectly silent. very bony and hairy. he saw some human figures lying. he could not have lived with her openly. too. Beyond the river he saw a goods train winding out of Kingsbridge Station. ceased to exist. He could not feel her near him in the darkness nor her voice touch his ear. as he set himself to fan the fire again. sitting night after night alone in that room. he felt that he had been outcast from life's feast. It was an old man's face. like a worm with a fiery head winding through the darkness. It was after nine o'clock when he left the shop. died. It passed slowly out of sight. He turned his eyes to the grey gleaming river. He stood still to listen. obstinately and laboriously. When he gained the crest of the Magazine Hill he halted and looked along the river towards Dublin. The night was cold and gloomy. munching once or twice mechanically when 69
. that she had become a memory. He felt that he was alone. the rhythm of the engine pounding in his ears.dead. He could not have carried on a comedy of deception with her. He gnawed the rectitude of his life. When the dome was thinly covered his face lapsed into darkness but. His life would be lonely too until he. One human being had seemed to love him and he had denied her life and happiness: he had sentenced her to ignominy. became a memory--if anyone remembered him. How was he to blame? Now that she was gone he understood how lonely her life must have been. He entered the Park by the first gate and walked along under the gaunt trees. He knew that the prostrate creatures down by the wall were watching him and wished him gone. He walked through the bleak alleys where they had walked four years before. He waited for some minutes listening. her hand touch his. at the base. He looked down the slope and. that she had ceased to exist. Those venal and furtive loves filled him with despair. a death of shame. He listened again: perfectly silent. He began to feel ill at ease. the lights of which burned redly and hospitably in the cold night. He turned back the way he had come. he was outcast from life's feast. his crouching shadow ascended the opposite wall and his face slowly reemerged into light.
IVY DAY IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OLD JACK raked the cinders together with a piece of cardboard and spread them judiciously over the whitening dome of coals. in the shadow of the wall of the Park. She seemed to be near him in the darkness. The moist blue eyes blinked at the fire and the moist mouth fell open at times. He asked himself what else could he have done. winding along towards Dublin. No one wanted him. He began to doubt the reality of what memory told him. At moments he seemed to feel her voice touch his ear. He halted under a tree and allowed the rhythm to die away. Why had he withheld life from her? Why had he sentenced her to death? He felt his moral nature falling to pieces. but still he heard in his ears the laborious drone of the engine reiterating the syllables of her name.

It was the sixth of October. he spent a great part of the day sitting by the fire in the Committee Room in Wicklow Street with Jack." said Mr. whose face was disfigured by many blotches and pimples." Mr. When the cinders had caught he laid the piece of cardboard against the wall. lighting it. respectfully solicits the favour of your vote and influence at the coming election in the Royal Exchange Ward. O'Connor put his cigarette into his mouth and began search his pockets. dismal and cold out of doors. this'll do. continuing. Richard J..it closed. sighed and said: "That's better now." he said. yes. P. Mr. 70
. Tierney. "I'll get you a match. Tierney say when he'd be back?" he asked in a sky falsetto. and there he goes boosing about. O'Connor. "it's hard to know what way to bring up children. O'Connor had been engaged by Tierney's agent to canvass one part of the ward but." said the old man. began to fan the fire slowly while his companion smoked. As he did so the flame lit up a leaf of dark glossy ivy the lapel of his coat. a grey-haired young man. He selected one of the cards and read what was printed on it:
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ---------ROYAL EXCHANGE WARD ---------Mr. the old caretaker. He took out a pack of thin pasteboard cards." Mr. I tried to make him someway decent. Now who'd think he'd turn out like that! I sent him to the Christian Brothers and I done what I could him. taking up the piece of cardboard again. "Never mind." He replaced the cardboard wearily. "Did Mr. They had been sitting thus since e short day had grown dark. lit his cigarette. Then he began to roll the tobacco again meditatively and after a moment's thought decided to lick the paper. O'Connor tore a strip off the card and. had just brought the tobacco for a cigarette into a shapely cylinder but when spoken to he undid his handiwork meditatively. "Ah.L. O'Connor. as the weather was inclement and his boots let in the wet. The old man watched him attentively and then.
Mr. Mr. O'Connor. "He didn't say.G.

The mother. He takes th'upper hand of me whenever he sees I've a sup taken. "Yes.. sure. and the old man fell silent. slender young man with a light brown moustache. "Nineteen. "how goes it?" Mr. Hynes." Mr. 'You must get a job for yourself. "What are you doing in the dark?" asked a voice. What are you doing in the dark?" said Mr. amn't I never done at the drunken bowsy ever since he left school? 'I won't keep you. I'd take the stick to his back and beat him while I could stand over him--as I done many a time before. The old man left the hearth and after stumbling about the room returned with two candlesticks which he thrust one after the other into the fire and carried to the table. O'Connor."Only I'm an old man now I'd change his tune for him. gazing into the fire. O'Connor. The walls of the room were bare except for a copy of an election address. she cocks him up with this and that. advancing into the light of the fire. O'Connor. What's the world coming to when sons speaks that way to their fathers?" "What age is he?" said Mr. "To be sure it is. he drinks it all. you know. it's worse whenever he gets a job." he said to Mr. Hynes leaned against the mantelpiece and asked: "Has he paid you yet?" 71
. only impudence. In the middle of the room was a small table on which papers were heaped." said the old man. "And little thanks you get for it. O'Connor..' But.' I says. Mat. "Well. O'Connor shook his head in sympathy. Imminent little drops of rain hung at the brim of his hat and the collar of his jacket-coat was turned up. Someone opened the door of the room and called out: "Hello! Is this a Freemason's meeting?" "Who's that?" said the old man. He was a tall." said Mr. "Is that you. "Why don't you put him to something?" "Sure. Mr." "That's what ruins children. O'Connor shook his head.. Hynes?" asked Mr." said the old man. A denuded room came into view and the fire lost all its cheerful colour.

But it's labour produces everything. Is it Tricky Dicky Tierney?" "By God! perhaps you're right. he'll pay you. "Don't you know they want to present an address of welcome to Edward Rex if he comes here next year? What do we want kowtowing to a foreign king?" "Our man won't vote for the address. "Colgan. I know him." said Mr. O'Connor. "The working-man." said Mr. The old man returned to his seat by the fire." said the old man scornfully." said Mr." "How's that?" said the old man." Mr. addressing Mr. O'Connor. The workingman is not looking for fat jobs for his sons and nephews and cousins. saying: "It isn't but he has it." said the old man." "Won't he?" said Mr. The working-man is not going to drag the honour of Dublin in the mud to please a German monarch. anyway. "One man is a plain honest man with no hunker-sliding about him. O'Connor. Hynes." said Mr." he said. "O. Hynes. Hynes. O'Connor. O'Connor. "What do you think. Hynes." "Of course." said Mr. "Anyway." said Mr. Joe. "It is because Colgan's a working--man you say that? What's the difference between a good honest bricklayer and a publican--eh? Hasn't the working-man as good a right to be in the Corporation as anyone else--ay. Hynes laughed. This fellow you're working for only wants to get some job or other. He goes in to represent the labour classes. "gets all kicks and no halfpence. the working-classes should be represented. "I hope he'll look smart about it if he means business. "He goes in on the Nationalist ticket. O'Connor. and a better right than those shoneens that are always hat in hand before any fellow with a handle to his name? Isn't that so."Not yet. Mat?" said Mr." "What other tinker?" said Mr. I wish 72
. Jack?" said Mr. Not like the other tinker. Hynes satirically to the old man. "I think you're right. "Wait till you see whether he will or not. "I hope to God he'll not leave us in the lurch tonight. Never fear.

Hynes took off his hat. don't stir. displaying.' But I think he'll be all right. and I told him." he said. God be with them times!" said the old man. "Sit down here. rubbing his hands as if he intended to produce a spark from them. Henchy began to snuffle and to rub his hands over the fire at a terrific speed. There must be some left. I mentioned Father Burke's name. Henchy. Hynes and sat down on the chair which the old man vacated. He walked over quickly to the fire. Jack. "we'd have no talk of an address of welcome. He said: 'I won't tell anyone what way I'm going to vote. "Did you serve Aungier Street?" he asked Mr. O'Connor. "There was some life in it then." "That's true. an ivy leaf in the lapel. boys. don't stir. The old man began to rake more cinders together." said the old man. "Musha. "No money." The old man went out of the room. 73
. shook it and then turned down the collar of his coat. Henchy He nodded curtly to Mr." said Mr. Jack. bring us a bit of coal." he said." said Mr." said Mr. "Yes. Then he said: "For the love of God. "If this man was alive. as he did so. beginning to search his pockets for memoranda. offering him his chair. O'Connor.he'd turn up with the spondulics. Mr. O'Connor. pointing to the leaf. "Did you call on Grimes?" "I did. I think it'll be all right. "O." The room was silent again." Mr. Mr." The three men fell silent." "Why so?" "He asked me who the nominators were." "Well? How does he stand?" "He wouldn't promise. Then a bustling little man with a snuffling nose and very cold ears pushed in the door.

Henchy. throwing the end of his cigarette into the fire." he said. I'm off for the present.' Mean little tinker! 'Usha. Henchy. See you later. Henchy. shoving himself away from the mantelpiece with the aid of his shoulders. "It'll be all right when King Eddie comes. O'Connor. Henchy. poor Joe!" said Mr." he said across the fire. Henchy. like the rest of us. just as the door was closing. Mat?" said Mr. Mr." Mr." said Mr. I must speak to Mr. now." said Mr. how could he be anything else?" "What did I tell you. Henchy waited a few moments and then nodded in the direction of the door. "Thats a nice how-do-you-do. Neither Mr. when I see work going on properly I won't forget you. 'Bye. you may be sure."It's no go. shaking his head. "How does he expect us to work for him if he won't stump up?" "I can't help it." said Mr. but. he's as tricky as they make 'em. "He hasn't got those little pigs' eyes for nothing. who had been staring moodily into the fire." He went out of the room slowly. "Did you never hear that? And the men used to go in on Sunday morning before the houses were open to buy a waistcoat or a trousers--moya! But Tricky Dicky's little old father always had a tricky little black bottle up in a corner.. "I asked the little shoeboy. "I expect to find the bailiffs in the hall when I go home. made ready to leave." said Mr. which uttered a hissing protest. Blast his soul! Couldn't he pay up like a man instead of: 'O.. Henchy nor the old man said anything. yes. That's where he first saw the light. Do you mind now? That's that.. "Well boys. now." "O. "God. O'Connor. O'Connor. Fanning. "Tell me. Henchy snuffled vigorously and spat so copiously that he nearly put out the fire. Mr. Hynes. O'Connor. "he's hard up." said Mr." Mr. Mr. called out suddenly: "'Bye." "But is that a fact?" asked Mr. 'bye. but he said: 'Oh. I've spent a lot of money'? Mean little schoolboy of hell! I suppose he forgets the time his little old father kept the hand-me-down shop in Mary's Lane. Henchy." The old man returned with a few lumps of coal which he placed here and there on the fire." Mr. Joe. "Tricky Dicky Tierney. "what brings our friend in here? What does he want?" "'Usha. 74
. Hynes laughed and.

"To tell you my private and candid opinion. They won't suspect you. too." said Mr. damn it. Do you remember that thing he wrote. Do you twig?" "Ah. He wore a round hat of hard black felt." said the old man.." There was a knock at the door. but I know it for a fact. Henchy. Just go round and try and find out how they're getting on. "There's a lineal descendant of Major Sirr for you if you like! O. I think he's a stroke above that. because the collar of his shabby frock-coat.. the uncovered buttons of which reflected the candlelight. A person resembling a poor clergyman or a poor actor appeared in the doorway.. O'Connor.?" "Some of these hillsiders and fenians are a bit too clever if ask me. I don't say Hynes. Damn it. with the pen. respectable man. "O. "I think he's a man from the other camp." "There's no knowing." "I don't know. "I think Joe Hynes is a straight man.. "Do you know what my private and candid opinion is about some of those little jokers? I believe half of them are in the pay of the Castle. had the appearance of damp yellow cheese save where two rosy spots indicated the cheekbones." said the old man. His face. "Come in!" said Mr." said Mr.. He's a spy of Colgan's. if you ask me.. His black clothes were tightly buttoned on his short body and it was impossible to say whether he wore a clergyman's collar or a layman's. but what I can't understand is a fellow sponging.. "Let him work for his own side and not come spying around here. Henchy admitted. Couldn't he have some spark of manhood about him?" "He doesn't get a warm welcome from me when he comes. was turned up about his neck. poor Joe is a decent skin.. No. I can understand a fellow being hard up. But there's a certain little nobleman with a cock-eye--you know the patriot I'm alluding to?" Mr." Mr. He's a clever chap.. "His father was a decent... O'Connor dubiously. He opened his very long mouth suddenly to express disappointment and at the same time opened wide his very 75
. the heart's blood of a patriot! That's a fellow now that'd sell his country for fourpence--ay--and go down on his bended knees and thank the Almighty Christ he had a country to sell." said Mr. as he took out cigarette-papers and tobacco. Henchy. shining with raindrops. O'Connor nodded." he said. Henchy. "They're Castle hacks." said Mr. "Poor old Larry Hynes! Many a good turn he did in his day! But I'm greatly afraid our friend is not nineteen carat.

bright blue eyes to express pleasure and surprise. "O Father Keon!" said Mr. Henchy, jumping up from his chair. "Is that you? Come in!" "O, no, no, no!" said Father Keon quickly, pursing his lips as if he were addressing a child. "Won't you come in and sit down?" "No, no, no!" said Father Keon, speaking in a discreet, indulgent, velvety voice. "Don't let me disturb you now! I'm just looking for Mr. Fanning...." "He's round at the Black Eagle," said Mr. Henchy. "But won't you come in and sit down a minute?" "No, no, thank you. It was just a little business matter," said Father Keon. "Thank you, indeed." He retreated from the doorway and Mr. Henchy, seizing one of the candlesticks, went to the door to light him downstairs. "O, don't trouble, I beg!" "No, but the stairs is so dark." "No, no, I can see.... Thank you, indeed." "Are you right now?" "All right, thanks.... Thanks." Mr. Henchy returned with the candlestick and put it on the table. He sat down again at the fire. There was silence for a few moments. "Tell me, John," said Mr. O'Connor, lighting his cigarette with another pasteboard card. "Hm?" "What he is exactly?" "Ask me an easier one," said Mr. Henchy. "Fanning and himself seem to me very thick. They're often in Kavanagh's together. Is he a priest at all?" "Mmmyes, I believe so.... I think he's what you call black sheep. We haven't many of them, thank God! but we have a few.... He's an unfortunate man of some kind...." "And how does he knock it out?" asked Mr. O'Connor. 76

"That's another mystery." "Is he attached to any chapel or church or institution or---" "No," said Mr. Henchy, "I think he's travelling on his own account.... God forgive me," he added, "I thought he was the dozen of stout." "Is there any chance of a drink itself?" asked Mr. O'Connor. "I'm dry too," said the old man. "I asked that little shoeboy three times," said Mr. Henchy, "would he send up a dozen of stout. I asked him again now, but he was leaning on the counter in his shirt-sleeves having a deep goster with Alderman Cowley." "Why didn't you remind him?" said Mr. O'Connor. "Well, I couldn't go over while he was talking to Alderman Cowley. I just waited till I caught his eye, and said: 'About that little matter I was speaking to you about....' 'That'll be all right, Mr. H.,' he said. Yerra, sure the little hop-o'-my-thumb has forgotten all about it." "There's some deal on in that quarter," said Mr. O'Connor thoughtfully. "I saw the three of them hard at it yesterday at Suffolk Street corner." "I think I know the little game they're at," said Mr. Henchy. "You must owe the City Fathers money nowadays if you want to be made Lord Mayor. Then they'll make you Lord Mayor. By God! I'm thinking seriously of becoming a City Father myself. What do you think? Would I do for the job?" Mr. O'Connor laughed. "So far as owing money goes...." "Driving out of the Mansion House," said Mr. Henchy, "in all my vermin, with Jack here standing up behind me in a powdered wig--eh?" "And make me your private secretary, John." "Yes. And I'll make Father Keon my private chaplain. We'll have a family party." "Faith, Mr. Henchy," said the old man, "you'd keep up better style than some of them. I was talking one day to old Keegan, the porter. 'And how do you like your new master, Pat?' says I to him. 'You haven't much entertaining now,' says I. 'Entertaining!' says he. 'He'd live on the smell of an oil-rag.' And do you know what he told me? Now, I declare to God I didn't believe him." "What?" said Mr. Henchy and Mr. O'Connor. "He told me: 'What do you think of a Lord Mayor of Dublin sending out 77

for a pound of chops for his dinner? How's that for high living?' says he. 'Wisha! wisha,' says I. 'A pound of chops,' says he, 'coming into the Mansion House.' 'Wisha!' says I, 'what kind of people is going at all now?" At this point there was a knock at the door, and a boy put in his head. "What is it?" said the old man. "From the Black Eagle," said the boy, walking in sideways and depositing a basket on the floor with a noise of shaken bottles. The old man helped the boy to transfer the bottles from the basket to the table and counted the full tally. After the transfer the boy put his basket on his arm and asked: "Any bottles?" "What bottles?" said the old man. "Won't you let us drink them first?" said Mr. Henchy. "I was told to ask for the bottles." "Come back tomorrow," said the old man. "Here, boy!" said Mr. Henchy, "will you run over to O'Farrell's and ask him to lend us a corkscrew--for Mr. Henchy, say. Tell him we won't keep it a minute. Leave the basket there." The boy went out and Mr. Henchy began to rub his hands cheerfully, saying: "Ah, well, he's not so bad after all. He's as good as his word, anyhow." "There's no tumblers," said the old man. "O, don't let that trouble you, Jack," said Mr. Henchy. "Many's the good man before now drank out of the bottle." "Anyway, it's better than nothing," said Mr. O'Connor. "He's not a bad sort," said Mr. Henchy, "only Fanning has such a loan of him. He means well, you know, in his own tinpot way." The boy came back with the corkscrew. The old man opened three bottles and was handing back the corkscrew when Mr. Henchy said to the boy: "Would you like a drink, boy?" "If you please, sir," said the boy. The old man opened another bottle grudgingly, and handed it to the boy. 78

. One of them was a very fat man whose blue serge clothes seemed to be in danger of falling from his sloping figure. you know.. I did a good day's work today. "That so." said Mr." said the old man. "Seventeen. sir. "when there's no corkscrew?" 79
. The other man." said Mr. laughing. "Talk of the devil. O'Connor. Henchy." drank the contents. After having drank each placed his bottle on the mantelpiece within hand's reach and drew in a long breath of satisfaction. staring blue eyes and a grizzled moustache." "Where did the boose come from?" asked the young man. but he's not worth a damn as a canvasser. The old man distributed the three bottles which he had opened and the men drank from them simultaneously."What age are you?" he asked. Jack. "The thin edge of the wedge. who was much younger and frailer. I got him one or two sure things in Dawson Street. He had a big face which resembled a young ox's face in expression." said the boy. clean-shaven face. He hasn't a word to throw to a dog. had a thin. blast your soul." said Mr. Crofton!" said Mr. of course. Crofton (he's a decent chap. to Mr. "That's the way it begins. "Is that the way you chaps canvass. Between ourselves. Crofton and myself. Henchy. He wore a very high double collar and a wide-brimmed bowler hat. "and Crofton and I out in the cold and rain looking for votes?" "Why. Henchy to the fat man." Here two men entered the room. muttering some form of salutation." said Mr. O'Connor. He stands and looks at the people while I do the talking. put the bottle back on the table and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Henchy." said Mr. after a pause. the boy took the bottle and said: "Here's my best respects. "I'd get more votes in five minutes than you two'd get in a week. Lyons. of course). Then he took up the corkscrew and went out of the door sideways. Henchy. "Well." "Open two bottles of stout. "Hello. Lyons spots the drink first thing!" said Mr. "How can I?" said the old man. John?" "Yes. As the old man said nothing further. "Did the cow calve?" "O.

idle! Look at all the money there is in the country if we only worked the old industries. "Which is my bottle?" he asked.. In a few minutes an apologetic "Pok!" was heard as the cork flew out of Mr. Then he sat down again by the fire and took another drink from his bottle. 'He's in favour of whatever will benefit this country. The citizens of Dublin will benefit by it. here's the way I look at it. Henchy. "is dead. Fine old chap he is." "Parnell. Henchy. carrying them to the fire. went to the fire." "And what about the address to the King?" said Mr. sufficient in itself. "This. took his bottle and carried it back to the table. "Listen to me. given their support to the Nationalist candidate. Lyons. the second reason was that he considered his companions beneath him.' said I. Here's this chap come to the throne after his old mother keeping him out 80
. The first reason. wait now!" said Mr. 'He's a respectable man. and I got Atkinson for two. old Conservative! 'But isn't your candidate a Nationalist?' said he. or indifferent.' said I. was that he had nothing to say. O'Connor. Crofton. good. lad. "that we got a good few votes today. Lyons jumped off the table. the Conservative. He's a big ratepayer. The King's coming here will mean an influx of money into this country. getting up quickly. He was silent for two reasons. Lyons sat on the edge of the table. "What we want in thus country. Henchy.' I said. as I said to old Ward. bad. the ship-building yards and factories." "But look here." said Mr. "I was just telling them. Mr. Lyons.. I got Parkes for one." said Mr. Mr. he had been engaged to work for Mr. He had been a canvasser for Wilkins. 'and a Poor Law Guardian." said Mr.' That's the way to talk to 'em. Mr." said Mr. "Why should we welcome the King of England? Didn't Parnell himself. Crofton sat down on a box and looked fixedly at the other bottle on the hob. John. too--regular old toff. and got Ward of Dawson Street. "Did you ever see this little trick?" He took two bottles from the table and. Tiemey. pushed his hat towards the nape of his neck and began to swing his legs. and he doesn't belong to any party. Henchy. Lyons' bottle. "Well. after drinking and smacking his lips. choosing the lesser of two evils. It's capital we want." said Mr. put them on the hob. is capital. Henchy."Wait now. 'He has extensive house property in the city and three places of business and isn't it to his own advantage to keep down the rates? He's a prominent and respected citizen. Now. but when the Conservatives had withdrawn their man and." "Who did you get?" asked Mr. the mills. Look at all the factories down by the quays there.

Lyons argumentatively. then. because he was a gentleman. He's fond of his glass of grog and he's a bit of a rake. "King Edward's life." said Mr. "Open another bottle of stout. Mr. Pok! The tardy cork flew out of Mr. "He was the only man that could keep that bag of cats in order." "In the name of God. ye dogs! Lie down. you know. Crofton. would we do it for Edward the Seventh?" "This is Parnell's anniversary. He's just an ordinary knockabout like you and me. is not the very.of it till the man was grey. As he returned with his capture he said in a deep voice: "Our side of the house respects him. Hynes came in slowly. I'll go myself and see what they're like." he added. "O. Henchy. would we welcome a man like that? Do you think now after what he did Parnell was a fit man to lead us? And why. Lyons. now. He's a man of the world." said Mr. "But after all now. By Christ. He's a jolly fine decent fellow. Joe. Crofton's bottle. "where's the analogy between the two cases?" "What I mean.. Crofton!" said Mr." The old man handed him another bottle and he placed it on the hob. O'Connor. Lyons." said Mr. Henchy. Joe! Come in!" he called out. Why. Damn it. can't we Irish play fair?" "That's all very fine." said Mr. "we're just talking about the Chief. O'Connor. catching sight of Mr. show me one here and I'll put it at the fire. Crofton got up from his box and went to the fire." 81
." said Mr. We all respect him now that he's dead and gone--even the Conservatives. 'Down. and no damn nonsense about him. and he means well by us. Crofton nodded his head. perhaps. "is we have our ideals. Jack." "Let bygones be bygones. Hynes in the doorway. "But look at the case of Parnell now. and he's a good sportsman." "Right you are. "and don't let us stir up any bad blood. He just says to himself: 'The old one never went to see these wild Irish. Henchy. if you ask me. Come in. ye curs!' That's the way he treated them." said Mr." said Mr. turning to Mr. Mr." said Mr.' And are we going to insult the man when he comes over here on a friendly visit? Eh? Isn't that right. "I admire the man personally. I forgot there's no corkscrew! Here. Henchy fiercely.. "Sit down. Crofton?" Mr.

." Mr. He dreamed (alas. Henchy. anyhow. 'twas but a dream!) Of Liberty: but as he strove 82
. Then amid the silence he took off his hat. O'Connor. Joe!" Mr. Joe. And Erin's hopes and Erin's dreams Perish upon her monarch's pyre. you stuck to him like a man!" "O. "'Sh. In palace.. but. Henchy. "Fire away." "Out with it. he said: "O. He seemed to be rehearsing the piece in his mind. "Now. Henchy. by God. Lyons but said nothing. cabin or in cot The Irish heart where'er it be Is bowed with woe--for he is gone Who would have wrought her destiny. "Give us that." said Mr. 'sh. after reflecting a while. 1891
He cleared his throat once or twice and then began to recite:
He is dead. that thing is it. mourn with grief and woe For he lies dead whom the fell gang Of modern hypocrites laid low. Hynes hesitated a little longer. O. O'Connor suddenly. Erin. bards and warriors raised Before the nations of the World. "There's one of them." said Mr. He lies slain by the coward hounds He raised to glory from the mire. Mr. Joe. The green flag gloriously unfurled." said Mr. Her statesmen.. Our Uncrowned King is dead. Sure. O'Connor. Hynes sat on the side of the table near Mr. Henchy. Joe! No."Ay. "Give us that thing you wrote--do you remember? Have you got it on you?" "O." said Mr. Hynes did not seem to remember at once the piece to which they were alluding. Crofton? Listen to this now: splendid thing. "that didn't renege him. ay!" said Mr. By God. After a rather long pause he announced:
THE DEATH OF PARNELL 6th October. I'll say for you. Did you ever hear that. He would have had his Erin famed. ay!" said Mr. laid it on the table and stood up." "Go on. man!" said Mr. that's old now.

assistant secretary of the Eire Abu Society. "Isn't that fine? What?" Crofton said that it was a very fine piece of writing.To clutch that idol. Nobly undaunted to the last. with his hands and pockets full of dirty pieces of paper. had been walking up and down Dublin for nearly a month. Crofton?" cried Mr. his spirit may Rise. Hynes sat down again on the table. taking out his cigarette papers and pouch the better to hide his emotion. Pok! The cork flew out of Mr. arranging about the series of concerts. When breaks the dawning of the day. He had a game leg and for this his friends called him Hoppy 83
. When it had ceased all the auditors drank from their bottles in silence. O'Connor. No sound of strife disturb his sleep! Calmly he rests: no human pain Or high ambition spurs him now The peaks of glory to attain. May everlasting shame consume The memory of those who tried To befoul and smear the exalted name Of one who spurned them in his pride. caitiff hands That smote their Lord or with a kiss Betrayed him to the rabble-rout Of fawning priests--no friends of his. Hynes remained sitting flushed and bare-headed on the table. The day that brings us Freedom's reign. Lyons clapped. like the Phoenix from the flames. He fell as fall the mighty ones. Joe!" said Mr. Shame on the coward.
Mr. And on that day may Erin well Pledge in the cup she lifts to Joy One grief--the memory of Parnell. But Erin. Henchy. They had their way: they laid him low. When he had finished his recitation there was a silence and then a burst of clapping: even Mr. Hynes' bottle. "Good man. The applause continued for a little time. treachery Sundered him from the thing he loved. And death has now united him With Erin's heroes of the past. "What do you think of that. list. but Mr.
A MOTHER MR HOLOHAN. He did not seem to have heard the invitation.

Mrs.Holohan. where she had learned French and music. She sat amid the chilly circle of her accomplishments. trying to console her romantic desires by eating a great deal of Turkish Delight in secret. Kearney perceived that such a man would wear better than a romantic person. who was a bootmaker on Ormond Quay. thrifty and pious. They were all friends of the Kearneys--musical friends or Nationalist friends. when Mr. For his part. He sent the older daughter. and afterward paid her fees at the Academy. and said good-bye to one another in Irish. Kearney was well content at this. when his cough troubled him. Kearney. He was sober. Kathleen. oftener by himself. But she never weakened in her religion and was a good wife to him. that she was a believer in the language movement. he was a model father. Miss Devlin had become Mrs. she put the eider-down quilt over his feet and made a strong rum punch. to a good convent. waiting for some suitor to brave it and offer her a brilliant life. Kearney went with his family to the pro-cathedral. After the first year of married life. which was serious. but in the end it was Mrs. People said that she was very clever at music and a very nice girl and. Kearney determined to take advantage of her daughter's name and brought an Irish teacher to the house. she silenced them by marrying Mr. His conversation. sometimes with her." If it was not Skerries it was Howth or Greystones. Soon the name of Miss Kathleen Kearney began to be heard often on people's lips. Therefore she was not surprised when one day Mr. When the Irish Revival began to be appreciable Mrs. laughing at the crossing of so man hands. She had been educated in a high-class convent. when they had played every little counter of gossip. Mrs. On special Sundays. As she was naturally pale and unbending in manner she made few friends at school. where she learned French and music. they shook hands with one another all together. Kearney out of spite. Kearney found occasion to say to some friend: "My good man is packing us off to Skerries for a few weeks. At some party in a strange house when she lifted her eyebrow ever so slightly he stood up to take his leave and. He walked up and down constantly. moreover. However. Kearney who arranged everything. When she came to the age of marriage she was sent out to many houses. By paying a small sum every week into a society. stood by the hour at street corners arguing the point and made notes. but she never put her own romantic ideas away. when she drew near the limit and her friends began to loosen their tongues about her. took place at intervals in his great brown beard. Every year in the month of July Mrs. a little crowd of people would assemble after mass at the corner of Cathedral Street. He was much older than she. Kathleen and her sister sent Irish picture postcards to their friends and these friends sent back other Irish picture postcards. he ensured for both his daughters a dowry of one hundred pounds each when they came to the age of twenty-four. where her playing and ivory manners were much admired. But the young men whom she met were ordinary and she gave them no encouragement. he went to the altar every first Friday. Holohan came to her and proposed that her daughter should be the accompanist at a 84
. and.

To keep the audience continually diverted she slipped the doubtful items in between the old favourites. Holohan was a novice in such delicate matters as the wording of bills and the disposing of items for a programme. It cost a pretty penny. She knew that the first tenor would not like to come on after Mr. Kearney bought some lovely blush-pink charmeuse in Brown Thomas's to let into the front of Kathleen's dress. thanks to her. made him sit down and brought out the decanter and the silver biscuit-barrel. Mr. Mrs. glanced from time to time at the mirror and rolled and unrolled their music. She was invariably friendly and advising--homely. She pushed the decanter towards him. Kearney helped him. She had tact. the few people in the hall began to express their desire to be entertained. As Mr. Fitzpatrick. He held a programme in his hand. Friday and Saturday. Mr.series of four grand concerts which his Society was going to give in the Antient Concert Rooms. She noticed that he wore his soft brown hat carelessly on the side of his head and that his accent was flat. everything that was to be done was done. Holohan!" And while he was helping himself she said: "Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid of it!" Everything went on smoothly. in fact. The artistes talked among themselves nervously. He seemed to bear disappointments lightly. but there are occasions when a little expense is justifiable. and. Holohan came into the dressingroom every few minutes with reports from the box-office. Thursday. saying: "Now. She entered heart and soul into the details of the enterprise. She passed by with her daughter and a quick glance through the open door of the hall showed her the cause of the stewards' idleness. Mr. She took a dozen of two-shilling tickets for the final concert and sent them to those friends who could not be trusted to come otherwise. and. She smiled and shook his hand. while he was talking to her. vacant face. When it was nearly half-past eight. She brought him into the drawing-room. A few young men. Mr. and said: 85
. Fitzpatrick came in. She knew what artistes should go into capitals and what artistes should go into small type. In the dressing-room behind the stage she was introduced to the secretary of the Society. Kearney arrived with her daughter at the Antient Concert Rooms on Wednesday night she did not like the look of things. help yourself. The concerts were to be on Wednesday. it was twenty minutes to eight. When Mrs. smiled vacantly at the room. Mrs. Holohan called to see her every day to have her advice on some point. Meade's comic turn. he chewed one end of it into a moist pulp. advised and dissuaded: and finally a contract was drawn up by which Kathleen was to receive eight guineas for her services as accompanist at the four grand concerts. She forgot nothing. wearing bright blue badges in their coats. none of them wore evening dress. with a white. At first she wondered had she mistaken the hour. stood idle in the vestibule. Mr. He was a little man. No.

"And the artistes!" said Mrs. Yes."Well now. Holohan admitted that the artistes were no good but the committee. and everyone went home quickly. However. he said." Mrs. as if the concert were an informal dress rehearsal. In the course of the evening. Mrs. of course. Kearney's anger began to flutter in her cheek and she had all she could do to keep from asking: 86
. Kearney was taking angry note of his conduct. Mr. The audience behaved indecorously. but Mrs." she said. she should receive the sum originally stipulated for. Fitzpatrick. He said that the committee had made a mistake in arranging for four concerts: four was too many. Fitzpatrick away from his screen and told him that her daughter had signed for four concerts and that. Mr. Kearney rewarded his very flat final syllable with a quick stare of contempt. Kearney learned that the Friday concert was to be abandoned and that the committee was going to move heaven and earth to secure a bumper house on Saturday night. Mrs. Mrs. Holohan did not know what it meant. Kearney saw at once that the house was filled with paper." Mr. I suppose we'd better open the ball. but. she called Mr. He stood at the edge of the screen. had decided to let the first three concerts go as they pleased and reserve all the talent for Saturday night. Mr. it was true. "Of course they are doing their best. Kearney. She called Mr. of course. The concert expired shortly before ten. She buttonholed him as he was limping out quickly with a glass of lemonade for a young lady and asked him was it true. Fitzpatrick. seemed unable to resolve the difficulty and said that he would bring the matter before the committee. Kearney said nothing. Kearney was now beginning to be alarmed. When she heard this. and then said to her daughter encouragingly: "Are you ready. Holohan aside and asked him to tell her what it meant. according to the terms of the contract. he advised her to speak to Mr. "The contract was for four concerts. she began to regret that she had put herself to any expense for such a concert. he was quite unconscious that Mrs. but really they are not good. The concert on Thursday night was better attended. Fitzpatrick's vacant smile irritated her very much. ladies and gentlemen. from time to time jutting out his head and exchanging a laugh with two friends in the corner of the balcony. Holohan. Fitzpatrick seemed to enjoy himself. whether the society gave the four concerts or not. There was something she didn't like in the look of things and Mr. "But. Holohan seemed to be in a hurry. as the mediocre items followed one another on the platform and the few people in the hall grew fewer and fewer. Mrs. dear?" When she had an opportunity. who did not catch the point at issue very quickly." Mr. that doesn't alter the contract. she sought out Mr. she said nothing and waited to see how it would end.

Kearney placed her daughter's clothes and music in charge of her husband and went all over the building looking for Mr. Mr. Then she gave a little sigh and said: "Ah. Mrs. he marred the good impression by wiping his nose in his gloved hand once or twice out of thoughtlessness. he had sung prolonged bass notes in the resounding hall. arrived at the Antient Concert Rooms three-quarters of an hour before the time at which the concert was to begin. From this humble state he had raised himself until he had become a first-rate artiste. She respected her husband in the same way as she respected the General Post Office. Holohan or Mr. Mr. Duggan. as something large. Bell. He had appeared in grand opera. the dear knows. The bass and the second tenor had already come. Little boys were sent out into the principal streets of Dublin early on Friday morning with bundles of handbills. He was unassuming and spoke little. he had undertaken the part of the king in the opera of Maritana at the Queen's Theatre. Kearney. as a boy. Kearney explained that she wanted to see one of the secretaries. Miss Beirne expected them any minute and asked could she do anything. well! We did our best. Kearney looked searchingly at the oldish face which was screwed into an expression of trustfulness and enthusiasm and answered: "No. Mrs. thank you!" The little woman hoped they would have a good house. but he thought well to tell her husband part of her suspicions. Kearney was somewhat reassured. The bass. One night. Mrs. after a great deal of trouble. He listened carefully and said that perhaps it would be better if he went with her on Saturday night. but. She agreed. Special puffs appeared in all the evening papers." Mrs. was a slender young man with a scattered black moustache. He sang his music with great feeling and volume and was warmly welcomed by the gallery. and though she knew the small number of his talents she appreciated his abstract value as a male. reminding the music loving public of the treat which was in store for it on the following evening. unfortunately. secure and fixed. a steward brought out a little woman named Miss Beirne to whom Mrs. By ill luck it was a rainy evening. She was glad that he had suggested coming with her. The artistes were arriving. with her husband and daughter. She could find neither. 87
. Kearney had to go back to the dressing-room."And who is the Cometty pray?" But she knew that it would not be ladylike to do that: so she was silent. The night of the grand concert came. She looked out at the rain until the melancholy of the wet street effaced all the trustfulness and enthusiasm from her twisted features. He was the son of a hall porter in an office in the city and. She thought her plans over. Mrs. when an operatic artiste had fallen ill. Fitzpatrick. She asked the stewards was any member of the committee in the hall and. He said yous so softly that it passed unnoticed and he never drank anything stronger than milk for his voice's sake.

the second tenor, was a fair-haired little man who competed every year for prizes at the Feis Ceoil. On his fourth trial he had been awarded a bronze medal. He was extremely nervous and extremely jealous of other tenors and he covered his nervous jealousy with an ebullient friendliness. It was his humour to have people know what an ordeal a concert was to him. Therefore when he saw Mr. Duggan he went over to him and asked: "Are you in it too?" "Yes," said Mr. Duggan. Mr. Bell laughed at his fellow-sufferer, held out his hand and said: "Shake!" Mrs. Kearney passed by these two young men and went to the edge of the screen to view the house. The seats were being filled up rapidly and a pleasant noise circulated in the auditorium. She came back and spoke to her husband privately. Their conversation was evidently about Kathleen for they both glanced at her often as she stood chatting to one of her Nationalist friends, Miss Healy, the contralto. An unknown solitary woman with a pale face walked through the room. The women followed with keen eyes the faded blue dress which was stretched upon a meagre body. Someone said that she was Madam Glynn, the soprano. "I wonder where did they dig her up," said Kathleen to Miss Healy. "I'm sure I never heard of her." Miss Healy had to smile. Mr. Holohan limped into the dressing-room at that moment and the two young ladies asked him who was the unknown woman. Mr. Holohan said that she was Madam Glynn from London. Madam Glynn took her stand in a corner of the room, holding a roll of music stiffly before her and from time to time changing the direction of her startled gaze. The shadow took her faded dress into shelter but fell revengefully into the little cup behind her collar-bone. The noise of the hall became more audible. The first tenor and the baritone arrived together. They were both well dressed, stout and complacent and they brought a breath of opulence among the company. Mrs. Kearney brought her daughter over to them, and talked to them amiably. She wanted to be on good terms with them but, while she strove to be polite, her eyes followed Mr. Holohan in his limping and devious courses. As soon as she could she excused herself and went out after him. "Mr. Holohan, I want to speak to you for a moment," she said. They went down to a discreet part of the corridor. Mrs Kearney asked him when was her daughter going to be paid. Mr. Holohan said that Mr. Fitzpatrick had charge of that. Mrs. Kearney said that she didn't know anything about Mr. Fitzpatrick. Her daughter had signed a contract for eight guineas and she would have to be paid. Mr. Holohan said that it wasn't his business. 88

"Why isn't it your business?" asked Mrs. Kearney. "Didn't you yourself bring her the contract? Anyway, if it's not your business it's my business and I mean to see to it." "You'd better speak to Mr. Fitzpatrick," said Mr. Holohan distantly. "I don't know anything about Mr. Fitzpatrick," repeated Mrs. Kearney. "I have my contract, and I intend to see that it is carried out." When she came back to the dressing-room her cheeks were slightly suffused. The room was lively. Two men in outdoor dress had taken possession of the fireplace and were chatting familiarly with Miss Healy and the baritone. They were the Freeman man and Mr. O'Madden Burke. The Freeman man had come in to say that he could not wait for the concert as he had to report the lecture which an American priest was giving in the Mansion House. He said they were to leave the report for him at the Freeman office and he would see that it went in. He was a grey-haired man, with a plausible voice and careful manners. He held an extinguished cigar in his hand and the aroma of cigar smoke floated near him. He had not intended to stay a moment because concerts and artistes bored him considerably but he remained leaning against the mantelpiece. Miss Healy stood in front of him, talking and laughing. He was old enough to suspect one reason for her politeness but young enough in spirit to turn the moment to account. The warmth, fragrance and colour of her body appealed to his senses. He was pleasantly conscious that the bosom which he saw rise and fall slowly beneath him rose and fell at that moment for him, that the laughter and fragrance and wilful glances were his tribute. When he could stay no longer he took leave of her regretfully. "O'Madden Burke will write the notice," he explained to Mr. Holohan, "and I'll see it in." "Thank you very much, Mr. Hendrick," said Mr. Holohan, "you'll see it in, I know. Now, won't you have a little something before you go?" "I don't mind," said Mr. Hendrick. The two men went along some tortuous passages and up a dark staircase and came to a secluded room where one of the stewards was uncorking bottles for a few gentlemen. One of these gentlemen was Mr. O'Madden Burke, who had found out the room by instinct. He was a suave, elderly man who balanced his imposing body, when at rest, upon a large silk umbrella. His magniloquent western name was the moral umbrella upon which he balanced the fine problem of his finances. He was widely respected. While Mr. Holohan was entertaining the Freeman man Mrs. Kearney was speaking so animatedly to her husband that he had to ask her to lower her voice. The conversation of the others in the dressing-room had become strained. Mr. Bell, the first item, stood ready with his music but the accompanist made no sign. Evidently something was wrong. Mr. Kearney looked straight before him, stroking his beard, while Mrs. Kearney spoke into Kathleen's ear with subdued emphasis. From the hall 89

came sounds of encouragement, clapping and stamping of feet. The first tenor and the baritone and Miss Healy stood together, waiting tranquilly, but Mr. Bell's nerves were greatly agitated because he was afraid the audience would think that he had come late. Mr. Holohan and Mr. O'Madden Burke came into the room In a moment Mr. Holohan perceived the hush. He went over to Mrs. Kearney and spoke with her earnestly. While they were speaking the noise in the hall grew louder. Mr. Holohan became very red and excited. He spoke volubly, but Mrs. Kearney said curtly at intervals: "She won't go on. She must get her eight guineas." Mr. Holohan pointed desperately towards the hall where the audience was clapping and stamping. He appealed to Mr Kearney and to Kathleen. But Mr. Kearney continued to stroke his beard and Kathleen looked down, moving the point of her new shoe: it was not her fault. Mrs. Kearney repeated: "She won't go on without her money." After a swift struggle of tongues Mr. Holohan hobbled out in haste. The room was silent. When the strain of the silence had become somewhat painful Miss Healy said to the baritone: "Have you seen Mrs. Pat Campbell this week?" The baritone had not seen her but he had been told that she was very fine. The conversation went no further. The first tenor bent his head and began to count the links of the gold chain which was extended across his waist, smiling and humming random notes to observe the effect on the frontal sinus. From time to time everyone glanced at Mrs. Kearney. The noise in the auditorium had risen to a clamour when Mr. Fitzpatrick burst into the room, followed by Mr. Holohan who was panting. The clapping and stamping in the hall were punctuated by whistling. Mr. Fitzpatrick held a few banknotes in his hand. He counted out four into Mrs. Kearney's hand and said she would get the other half at the interval. Mrs. Kearney said: "This is four shillings short." But Kathleen gathered in her skirt and said: "Now. Mr. Bell," to the first item, who was shaking like an aspen. The singer and the accompanist went out together. The noise in hall died away. There was a pause of a few seconds: and then the piano was heard. The first part of the concert was very successful except for Madam Glynn's item. The poor lady sang Killarney in a bodiless gasping voice, with all the old-fashioned mannerisms of intonation and pronunciation which she believed lent elegance to her singing. She looked as if she had been resurrected from an old stage-wardrobe and the cheaper parts of the hall made fun of her high wailing notes. The first tenor and the contralto, however, brought down the house. Kathleen played a selection 90

Fitzpatrick. Bell. The stewards and the secretaries debated hotly as to what should be done when the interval came. they could ride roughshod over her. O'Madden Burke. Kearney angrily. Kearney's conduct. in case her daughter did not play for the second part. Kearney. But she would see that her daughter got her rights: she wouldn't be fooled. when it was ended. "I agree with Miss Beirne." "And what way did you treat me?" asked Mrs. She will get four pounds eight into her hand or a foot she won't put on that platform. It was deservedly applauded. he said. "I haven't seen any committee. They wouldn't have dared to have treated her like that if she had been a man. the men went out for the interval. content. Her face was inundated with an angry colour and she looked as if she would attack someone with her hands. In one corner were Mr. he said that Mrs. Kearney. the committee would consider the contract broken and would pay nothing. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Mr. two of the stewards. Mr. They thought they had only a girl to deal with and that therefore. The first part closed with a stirring patriotic recitation delivered by a young lady who arranged amateur theatricals. Miss Beirne. Of course she was sorry for the sake of the artistes. As soon as the first part was ended Mr. Holohan." said Mr. Kearney and told her that the other four guineas would be paid after the committee meeting on the following Tuesday and that. But what else could she do? She appealed to the second tenor who said he thought she had not been well treated. Mrs. Mrs. the bass. Mr. 91
." said Mrs. Holohan. But she would show them their mistake. All this time the dressing-room was a hive of excitement." In another corner of the room were Mrs. "I never thought you would treat us this way." said Mr. The baritone was asked what did he think of Mrs. However. "My daughter has her contract. She had spared neither trouble nor expense and this was how she was repaid. the baritone. and Mr. He did not like to say anything. "Pay her nothing. He had been paid his money and wished to be at peace with men. and." "I'm surprised at you. Miss Healy and the young lady who had to recite the patriotic piece. Miss Healy wanted to join the other group but she did not like to do so because she was a great friend of Kathleen's and the Kearneys had often invited her to their house. Kearney said that the Committee had treated her scandalously. Holohan went over to Mrs. Kearney might have taken the artistes into consideration. Kearney and he: husband. O'Madden Burke said it was the most scandalous exhibition he had ever witnessed. Then she appealed to Miss Healy.of Irish airs which was generously applauded. O'Madden Burke. If they didn't pay her to the last farthing she would make Dublin ring. Miss Kathleen Kearney's musical career was ended in Dublin after that.

she caught up her daughter's cloak and said to her husband: "Get a cab!" He went out at once." said Mr. Kearney had to stand aside to allow the baritone and his accompanist to pass up to the platform. Holohan. "I'm not done with you yet. She stood at the door."I'm asking for my rights. arguing with her husband and daughter. And when I ask when my daughter is going to be paid I can't get a civil answer." she said." she said. Kathleen followed her mother meekly. "That's a nice lady!" he said. His eyes 92
. she's a nice lady!" "You did the proper thing. Holohan's face.. "But I'm done with you.. They succeeded in turning him over." said Mr." "I thought you were a lady. Mrs. Holohan. gesticulating with them. She waited until it was time for the second part to begin in the hope that the secretaries would approach her. Kearney's conduct was condemned on all hands: everyone approved of what the committee had done. in order to cool himself for he his skin on fire. I'm a great fellow fol-the-diddle-I-do. poised upon his umbrella in approval." said Mr. As she passed through the doorway she stopped and glared into Mr. Holohan. "Might I." said Mr. Holohan. Holohan began to pace up and down the room. O'Madden Burke. After that Mrs. haggard with rage. "You might have some sense of decency. But Miss Healy had kindly consented to play one or two accompaniments." She tossed her head and assumed a haughty voice: "You must speak to the secretary. walking away from her abruptly.
GRACE TWO GENTLEMEN who were in the lavatory at the time tried to lift him up: but he was quite helpless. Mr. when the first notes of the song struck her ear. His hat had rolled a few yards away and his clothes were smeared with the filth and ooze of the floor on which he had lain. face downwards. She stood still for an instant like an angry stone image and. Mrs. Kearney wrapped the cloak round her daughter and followed him. He lay curled up at the foot of the stairs down which he had fallen. indeed?. It's not my business. "O.

strove to rise to his feet. licked the lead of his pencil and made ready to indite. He looked at the circle of faces and then. He asked in a suspicious provincial accent: "Who is the man? What's his name and address?" A young man in a cycling-suit cleared his way through the ring of bystanders. No one knew who he was but one of the curates said he had served the gentleman with a small rum. as if he feared to be the victim some delusion. sir. In a few seconds he opened his eyes and looked about him. He's fainted. His collar was unfastened and his necktie undone. The brandy was forced down the man's throat. "You're all right now?" asked the young man in the cycling-suit. sighed and closed them again. He knelt down promptly beside the injured man and called for water. The constable knelt down also to help.were closed and he breathed with a grunting noise. A crowd which had followed him down the laneway collected outside the door. In two minutes he was surrounded by a ring of men. alarmed by the grey pallor of the man's face. understanding. The young man washed the blood from the injured man's mouth and then called for some brandy. "Was he by himself?" asked the manager. listened. Then he drew off his glove. There was two gentlemen with him. produced a small book from his waist. sent for a policeman. struggling to look in through the glass panels. These two gentlemen and one of the curates carried him up the stairs and laid him down again on the floor of the bar. The manager asked repeatedly did no one know who the injured man was or where had his friends gone. The door of the bar opened and an immense constable entered." The ring of onlookers distended and closed again elastically. He opened eyes for an instant. "Sha." said the injured man. The constable. The constable repeated the order in an authoritative voice until a curate came running with the glass. The manager at once began to narrate what he knew.'s nothing. One of gentlemen who had carried him upstairs held a dinged silk hat in his hand. The manager of the bar asked everyone who he was and who was with him. The manager. trying to stand up. He moved his head slowly to right and left and from the manager to the person on the floor. a voice said: "Give him air. a young man with thick immobile features. 93
. A dark medal of blood had formed itself near the man's head on the tessellated floor. "No." "And where are they?" No one knew. A thin stream of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

constable.'s nothing." The three men left the bar and the crowd sifted through the doors in to the laneway. The new-comer surveyed the deplorable figure before him and then turned to the constable. Mr. Power!" "Come now." said the man. It was nothing. "How did you get yourself into this mess?" asked Mr. He made light of his accident. Power. The constable asked: "Where do you live?" The man. wearing a long yellow ulster. sir. he said: only a little accident. old man! What's the trouble?" "Sha. The manager brought the constable to the stairs to inspect the scene of the accident. "Not at all. They agreed that the gentleman must have missed his footing." said Mr. 94
. came from the far end of the bar. Tom. Seeing the spectacle. What? Can you walk?" The young man in the cycling-suit took the man by the other arm and the crowd divided. He spoke very thickly. began to twirl the ends of his moustache. While the point was being debated a tall agile gentleman of fair complexion. Power. saying: "It's all right." "'ant we have a little." The constable touched his helmet and answered: "All right. The manager said something about a hospital and some of the bystanders gave advice. taking his friend by the arm.. Tom.He was helped to his feet. "No bones broken. "The gentleman fell down the stairs. The man said they were to get a cab for him. he called out: "Hallo. "I' 'ery 'uch o'liged to you. without answering.. The battered silk hat was placed on the man's head. I'll see him home. "Where do you live" repeated the constable. The customers returned to the counter and a curate set about removing the traces of blood from the floor. Not now." said the injured man." said the young man.?" "Not now.

The lower teeth and gums were covered with clotted blood and a minute piece of the tongue seemed to have been bitten off. Kernan opened obediently. Kernan was a commercial traveller of the old school which believed in the dignity of its calling. "Don't mention it. Kernan's mouth but he could not see. blowing from the mouth of the river. They shook hands. "I' 'ery 'uch o'liged to you. Mr. Mr." said Mr. He had never been seen in the city without a silk hat of some decency and a pair of gaiters. Power. From these bowls Mr. sheltering it in the shell of his hands. closing his mouth and pulling the collar of his filthy coat across his neck. A keen east wind hit them. Power was giving directions to the carman. He carried on the tradition of his Napoleon. while Mr. whose memory he evoked at times by legend and mimicry. The swaying movement of the car brought the match to and from the opened mouth. "Another time." he answered." "Show. sir. Kernan was hoisted on to the car and." said Mr. The match was blown out. Then he paused to judge. His friend asked him to tell how the accident had happened. 's nothing. Mr. As it passed Ballast Office the clock showed half-past nine. Kernan tasted tea. By grace of these two articles of clothing. 'y na'e is Kernan. peered again into the mouth which Mr. Kernan was huddled together with cold. C. Mr. The car drove off towards Westmoreland Street. E. "That's ugly. Kernan. "Sha. I hope we'll 'eet again. He took a mouthful. a man could always pass muster. drew it up." The shock and the incipient pain had partly sobered him. The injured man said again as well as he could. "I'an't 'an. on the window blind of which was written the name of his firm with the address--London." said the young man." said the young man. he expressed his gratitude to the young man and regretted that they could not have a little drink together. 95
." The other leaned over the well of the car and peered into Mr. "'y 'ongue is hurt. he said. On the mantelpiece of this little office a little leaden battalion of canisters was drawn up and on the table before the window stood four or five china bowls which were usually half full of a black liquid.When they came out into Grafton Street. saturated his palate with it and then spat it forth into the grate. Power whistled for an outsider. He struck a match and. Modern business methods had spared him only so far as to allow him a little office in Crowe Street. the great Blackwhite.

and his brow grew thoughtful. His wife put him to bed while Mr." she said. he'll do for himself one day and that's the holy alls of it. Power shook his head but said nothing. Kernan. he was a debonair young man. As it drove off he raised his hat to her gaily. Nice friends! Who was he with tonight. exclaiming: "Such a sight! O. Mrs. After a while Mrs. Power. He's been drinking since Friday. I'll talk to Martin. remembering Mr.Mr. Kernan entered the kitchen. The children--two girls and a boy. He got up on the car. 96
." said Mr. Power sat downstairs in the kitchen asking the children where they went to school and what book they were in. began some horseplay with him." Mr. The arc of his social rise intersected the arc of his friend's decline. you needn't tell me that. Power stood up. and swinging his arms to warm himself. The car halted before a small house on the Glasnevin road and Mr. Kernan. He's the man. but Mr. Power. Power's good offices during domestic quarrels. "Not at all. Power was one of these friends. Power was careful to explain to her that he was not responsible. "we'll make him turn over a new leaf. He was surprised at their manners and at their accents. "I'm so sorry." said Mr. not like some of the others he does be with. now. "It's very kind of you to bring him home." Mr. but opportune loans. conscious of their father helplessness and of their mother's absence. Power. was employed in the Royal Irish Constabulary Office in Dublin Castle. He never seems to think he has a home at all. I know you're a friend of his. We'll come here one of these nights and talk it over. Mr. "that I've nothing in the house to offer you. Power. said: "O. They're all right so long as he has money in his pocket to keep him out from his wife and family. a much younger man. Kernan's decline was mitigated by the fact that certain of those friends who had known him at his highest point of success still esteemed him as a character. I'd like to know?" Mr. Mr. as well as many small." She saw him to the door. His inexplicable debts were a byword in his circle. "We were waiting for him to come home with the money. Kernan was helped into the house." "O. Mrs. at the corner. But if you wait a minute I'll send round to Fogarty's. that he had come on the scene by the merest accident." she continued. The carman was stamping up and down the footpath.

when she was beginning to find it unbearable. he had not been in the pale of the Church for twenty years. Mr. Kernan. Mr. but its development was entrusted to Mr. M'Coy and Mr. She made beef-tea for him and scolded him roundly. Power. He apologised to his guests for the disorder of the room. Kernan had seemed to her a not ungallant figure: and she still hurried to the chapel door whenever a wedding was reported and. leaning on the arm of a jovial well-fed man. who was dressed smartly in a frock-coat and lavender trousers and carried a silk hat gracefully balanced upon his other arm. and gave them chairs at the fire. "Good-night. Kernan's puzzled eyes watched the car till it was out of sight. practical woman of middle age. recalled with vivid pleasure how she had passed out of the Star of the Sea Church in Sandymount. Mr. Kernan in the parlour. went into the house and emptied her husband's pockets. Then she withdrew them. Cunningham."
Mrs. Not long before she had celebrated her silver wedding and renewed her intimacy with her husband by waltzing with him to Mr. Mr. Cunningham was the very man for such a case. for it was known that he had married an 97
. He was fond. healed him dutifully whenever he was sick and always tried to make him eat a breakfast. In her days of courtship. He was quite unconscious that he was the victim of a plot which his friends. Power had disclosed to Mrs. though he had been converted to the Catholic faith at the time of his marriage. of giving side-thrusts at Catholicism. He had never been violent since the boys had grown up. The other children were still at school." he said. The part of mother presented to her no insuperable difficulties and for twenty-five years she had kept house shrewdly for her husband. Mr. and she knew that he would walk to the end of Thomas Street and back again to book even a small order. They were good sons. later on. became more polite. the occasional stinging pain of which had made him somewhat irritable during the day."We'll make a new man of him. Cunningham. the air of which was impregnated with a personal odour. his friends came to see him. She accepted his frequent intemperance as part of the climate. with a veteran's pride. He was an elder colleague of Mr. One was in a draper's shop in Glasgow and the other was clerk to a tea-merchant in Belfast. Kernan's tongue. She was an active. She brought them up to his bedroom. she had become a mother. seeing the bridal pair. moreover. Two nights after. wrote regularly and sometimes sent home money. Mr. Mrs. His own domestic life was very happy. Mr. Power's. Kernan sent a letter to his office next day and remained in bed. There were worse husbands. Power's accompaniment. He sat propped up in the bed by pillows and the little colour in his puffy cheeks made them resemble warm cinders. but at the same time looked at them a little proudly. Kernan came of Protestant stock and. Her two eldest sons were launched. People had great sympathy with him. After three weeks she had found a wife's life irksome and. The idea been Mr.

A man of seventy had bitten off a piece of his tongue during an epileptic fit and the tongue had filled in again. Mr. Cunningham was a capable man. a canvasser for advertisements for The Irish Times and for The Freeman's Journal. His line of life had not been the shortest distance between two points and for short periods he had been driven to live by his wits. Mr. I feel as if I wanted to retch off. Religion for her was a habit. M'Coy. When the plot had been disclosed to her. 98
. Mrs. "Well. influential and intelligent. so that no one could see a trace of the bite. Cunningham." said the invalid." said Mr. He had been a clerk in the Midland Railway. still taught young children to play the piano at low terms. "It doesn't pain you now?" asked Mr. Cunningham. Mr. she could believe also in the banshee and in the Holy Ghost. and each time she had pawned the furniture on him. She believed steadily in the Sacred Heart as the most generally useful of all Catholic devotions and approved of the sacraments." said Mr. Kernan had said: "I leave it all in your hands. a town traveller for a coal firm on commission. "But it's so sickening. had been tempered by brief immersions in the waters of general philosophy. She was tempted to see a curious appropriateness in his accident and. and religion was religion. if she was put to it." After a quarter of a century of married life. a private inquiry agent. He had set up house for her six times. Kernan. "Pain? Not much. but. Everyone had respect for poor Martin Cunningham. His friends bowed to his opinions and considered that his face was like Shakespeare's. would have told the gentlemen that Mr." answered Mr. Kernan's case. it could do no harm. He was a thoroughly sensible man. Cunningham firmly. a clerk in the office of the Sub-Sheriff. Her faith was bounded by her kitchen. at least. and he had recently become secretary to the City Coroner. His new office made him professionally interested in Mr. The gentlemen began to talk of the accident. and she suspected that a man of her husband's age would not change greatly before death. His blade of human knowledge. Kernan's tongue would not suffer by being shortened. she had very few illusions left. His wife. natural astuteness particularised by long association with cases in the police courts.unpresentable woman who was an incurable drunkard. Cunningham said that he had once known a similar case. He was well informed. "God forbid. However." "That's the boose. Mr. who had been a soprano. I'm not seventy. M'Coy had been at one time a tenor of some reputation. Her beliefs were not extravagant. but that she did not wish to seem bloody-minded. The scheme might do good and.

Power at the same time with an air of challenge. M'Coy. Mr. "I think I caught cold on the car. Cunningham. "It keeps coming like from down in my throat. old man. I don't know his name. "Those other two fellows I was with----" "Who were you with?" asked Mr. Mr." He looked at Mr. phlegm or----" "Mucus.. Mr. yes." said Mr. Damn it now. Power waved his hand." said Mr." said Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Later on he had become the partner of a very fat." "Hm." "And who else?" "Harford. M'Coy. Cunningham nodded his head rapidly and Mr. Kernan. There's something keeps coming into my throat. all's well that ends well. "that's the thorax." "Yes." said Mr. His friends. what's his name? Little chap with sandy hair. He wished his friends to think there had been some mistake. Cunningham. Mr. In this case the monosyllable had a moral intention. When Mr. Mr. whenever they had smarted in person or by proxy under his exactions. He had begun life as an obscure financier by lending small sums of money to workmen at usurious interest. in the Liffey Loan Bank." "I'm very much obliged to you. sickening. Harford sometimes formed one of a little detachment which left the city shortly after noon on Sunday with the purpose of arriving as soon as possible at some public-house on the outskirts of the city where its members duly qualified themselves as bona fide travellers. his fellow-Catholics. Though he had never embraced more than the Jewish ethical code." said Mr. But his fellow-travellers had never consented to overlook his origin. people were silent. Kernan. Power said: "Ah. At other times they remembered his good points. short gentleman. well. and saw divine disapproval of usury made manifest through the person of his idiot son.. Power said again: 99
."No. He wished the details of the incident to remain vague. "A chap. Harford's manners in drinking were silent. that Mr. spoke of him bitterly as an Irish Jew and an illiterate." said the invalid.. who knew quite well Mr. Harford and he had missed each other. "I wonder where did he go to. Goldberg. It was known that the speaker had secret sources of information. Cunningham made that remark.

but he could not forget that Mr. M'Coy had recently made a crusade in search of valises and portmanteaus to enable Mrs. "it might have been a case of seven days." Mr. Decent young fellow. without the option of a fine. Kernan. He was not straight-laced." "Yes. M'Coy to fulfil imaginary engagements in the country. M'Coy. provincial accent and said in a tone of command: "65. "I remember now there was a policeman." 100
. you know--to take place in the depot where they get these thundering big country fellows. and they're nothing else. he seemed.. "That was a decent young chap. He assumed a thick. How did it happen at all?" "It happened that you were peloothered." said Mr. "Is this what we pay rates for?" he asked. wished to live with his city on terms mutually honourable and resented any affront put upon him by those whom he called country bumpkins. Mr. catch your cabbage!" Everyone laughed. trying to remember. The sergeant makes them stand in a row against the wall and hold up their plates. He answered the question. Kernan indignant. you know. More than he resented the fact that he had been victimised he resented such low playing of the game. Mr."All's well that ends well. Cunningham said: "It is supposed--they say. Kernan changed the subject at once. M'Coy.. "To feed and clothe these ignorant bostooms. who wanted to enter the conversation by any door. He was keenly conscious of his citizenship. "True bill. "Only for him----" "O. yes. Power did not relish the use of his Christian name." he said. "How could they be anything else. only for him. Cunningham gravely. Cunningham laughed. Mr. therefore. Tom. "I suppose you squared the constable." Mr. equally gravely." said Mr." said Mr." said Mr. as if Mr. omadhauns. to drill. The narrative made Mr. pretended that he had never heard the story." said Mr. Power. Kernan. He was a Castle official only during office hours. Kernan had asked it. Tom?" he said. that medical fellow. Jack.

Power and said casually: "On Thursday night." Mr. "You get some bad ones and you get some good ones." "O yes. and. Then Mr. satisfied. prepared to leave the room. "Righto!" said Mr. said: "Help yourselves. "think they can boss the people. I admit. Kernan tartly. what kind of men they are." he said. Kernan." said Mr. "These yahoos coming up here. you get some good ones. Jack." Mr. gentlemen. catch your cabbage." he said. "It's better to have nothing to say to them." Everyone laughed again: but Mr. She declined it. Power. 101
. Power's back. "That's my opinion!" Mrs. Power stood up to officiate." said Mr.He illustrated the story by grotesque gestures. Her husband called out to her: "And have you nothing for me. Cunningham promptly. He takes up a wad of cabbage on the spoon and pegs it across the room and the poor devils have to try and catch it on their plates: 65. The gentlemen drank from their glasses. M'Coy. you said. "It's like everything else in this world. Kernan was somewhat indignant still. Kernan entered the room and. set the glasses again on the table and paused. saying she was ironing downstairs. Martin. Her husband called after her: "Nothing for poor little hubby!" He assumed such a comical face and voice that the distribution of the bottles of stout took place amid general merriment. Cunningham gave a qualified assent. Cunningham turned towards Mr. I needn't tell you. placing a tray on the table. yes. you know. "At dinner. offering her his chair." "Thursday. after having exchanged a nod with Mr. Cunningham behind Mr. duckie?" "O." said Mr. you! The back of my hand to you!" said Mrs. He talked of writing a letter to the papers. Then he has a bloody big bowl of cabbage before him on the table and a bloody big spoon like a shovel.

I say." "But we mustn't be late. it's nothing. Power. Kernan waited to see whether he would be taken into his friends' confidence. "No." said Mr." 102
. Cunningham. Cunningham. "The four of us together. Power earnestly." said Mr. we may as well all admit we're a nice collection of scoundrels. Cunningham." said Mr." He uttered the metaphor with a certain homely energy and. "And I own up. "Own up now!" "I own up. one and all. spiritual matter. has just occurred to me? You night join in and we'd have a four-handed reel. one and all. "Half-seven at M'Auley's be it!" There was a short silence. Then he asked: "What's in the wind?" "O."We can meet in M'Auley's." "We can meet at half-seven. Cunningham. "it's just a little. Tom.. Cunningham in an evasive tone." "Yes. Then Mr. Power said. M'Coy." he added with gruff charity and turning to Mr. "That'll be the most convenient place. M'Coy." "The opera." said Mr. "It's only a little matter that we're arranging about for Thursday." said Mr. proceeded: "You see. Power. "because it is sure to be crammed to the doors." said Mr." "Good idea. There was silence again. Power. M'Coy. that's it. is it?" said Mr." said Mr. encouraged by his own voice. Mr. we're going to make a retreat. point blank: "To tell you the truth." said Mr. He turned suddenly to the invalid and said: "D'ye know what." said Mr. "Righto!" said Mr. no.. "Jack and I and M'Coy here--we're all going to wash the pot." said Mr. Tom. Kernan. Kernan. "So we're going to wash the pot together." "O." said Mr. A thought seemed to strike him.

" "The Jesuits are a fine body of men. "Yes. too. M'Coy." said Mr. He was impressed. "I haven't such a bad opinion of the Jesuits. "Of course." "O yes. Power." "Perhaps you're right." said Mr. you go to a Jesuit. M'Coy." said Mr. He took no part in the conversation for a long while. "That's why I have a feeling for them. understanding that some spiritual agencies were about to concern themselves on his behalf. The Irish priesthood is honoured all the world over. Kernan." The gentlemen drank again." said Mr. Kernan was silent." "Is that so?" asked Mr." said Mr. "The General of the Jesuits stands next to the Pope. Cunningham. "It's a curious thing." said Mr. but. I'll tell you a case in point. M'Coy. with an air of calm enmity. bumptious----" "They're all good men. intervening at length. He had a 103
. but listened. "Of course I'm right. Kernan seemed to be weighing something in his mind. They're the boyos have influence." "They're the grandest order in the Church. Cunningham. while his friends discussed the Jesuits. "Look at the congregation they have. "if you want a thing well done and no flies about.." said Mr." said Mr. It's some of those secular priests." said Mr. Kernan." said Mr." "The Jesuits cater for the upper classes. Cunningham. "about the Jesuit Order." "There's no mistake about it. he thought he owed it to his dignity to show a stiff neck. "Not like some of the other priesthoods on the continent. "That's history." "Look at their church. one following another's example." he said." said Mr. "They're an educated order. Mr. Power. The proposal conveyed very little meaning to his mind. too. Tom." said Mr. M'Coy. "each in his own way. "I haven't been in the world all this time and seen most sides of it without being a judge of character. relenting. It never fell away.. Every other order of the Church had to be reformed at some time or other but the Jesuit Order was never once reformed. "That's a fact. Power. Cunningham. ignorant." said Mr. with enthusiasm. Cunningham.. "unworthy of the name." said Mr. I believe they mean well.Mr. Power.

you must know him. that was the boy!" "O... you know. the----" "The body. Power. Cunningham. O yes. you know. you know.high opinion of Mr. Only sometimes. M'Coy.. Rather red face. isn't he?" said Mr. "I forget the subject of his discourse now." said Mr.. nothing wrong. Cunningham as a judge of character and as a reader of faces. "Rather! I heard him. I forget now what. Kernan deliberated.. "O. Tom. Cunningham. tall. I think I know him. Kernan continued. It's just kind of a friendly talk." Mr. Upon my word it was magnificent. Martin." "He won't be too hard on us. M'Coy said: "Father Tom Burke." said Mr. He asked for particulars.. you know. nettled. yes. jolly fellow! He's a man of the world like ourselves. "O. "Father Purdon is giving it. you know. M'Coy." said Mr. It's not exactly a sermon. you know. he didn't preach what was quite orthodox. the late Pope.. the style of the oratory. And his voice! God! hadn't he a voice! The Prisoner of the Vatican. Is he a good preacher?" "Munno. Crofton and I were in the back of the. I remember it well.. Mr. I remember Crofton saying to me when we came out----" "But he's an Orangeman. of course." Mr. "that was a born orator.." said Mr Cunningham." "Ah!. in a common-sense way.. Tom?" "Did I ever hear him!" said the invalid. 104
.. they say." "Ah.. Father Tom Burke. Tom... "O.. pit. in the back near the door. "I heard him once. he called him." "And tell me... "Is that so?" said Mr. he was a splendid man. Did you ever hear him. Cunningham. it was on the Pope.." said Mr." "And yet they say he wasn't much of a theologian. Cunningham stoutly. Power persuasively. "Father Purdon? Father Purdon?" said the invalid. "Fine.." said Mr." said Mr." "That's the man.. "Yes. it's just a retreat.. It's for business men. Crofton.

" "O. was genuinely moved. he said. Mr." said Mr. original faith. old man. M'Coy." "Not a doubt of it. We went into Butler's in Moore Street--faith.." said Mr. "our religion is the religion. oval face came forward into the light. come in! come in!" A pale. Mr. the old. He said: "I wouldn't doubt you. He was not without culture. Glasses were rinsed and five small 105
. Power again officiated. will you?" Mr. Only they don't believe in the Pope and in the mother of God. Mrs. Kernan came to the door of the bedroom and announced: "Here's a visitor for you!" "Who is it?" "Mr. "and a damned decent Orangeman too. The arch of its fair trailing moustache was repeated in the fair eyebrows looped above pleasantly astonished eyes. He inquired politely for Mr." said Mr. Cunningham quietly and effectively.." "But. we worship at different altars. ". "We both believe in----" He hesitated for a moment. Kernan warmly. in the Redeemer." "There's a good deal in that. He had opened a small shop on Glasnevin Road where." "There's not much difference between us. He had failed in business in a licensed house in the city because his financial condition had constrained him to tie himself to second-class distillers and brewers. Fogarty was a modest grocer. Fogarty." said Mr. Power. complimented little children and spoke with a neat enunciation. Fogarty brought a gift with him. tell you the God's truth--and I remember well his very words. Jack. Mr. placed his gift on the table and sat down with the company on equal terms."'Course he is. Fogarty. he said. He bore himself with a certain grace. Kernan appreciated the gift all the more since he was aware that there was a small account for groceries unsettled between him and Mr. Struck me as very well put. but our belief is the same." said Mr. Kernan. of course. he flattered himself. Open that. his manners would ingratiate him with the housewives of the district. Kernan. a half-pint of special whisky. "There used always be crowds of Protestants in the chapel where Father Tom was preaching. Kernan.

Cunningham." "There was many a good man went to the penny-a-week school with a sod of turf under his oxter. His great idea." "Allow me. "I mean. M'Coy. "if not the most so. I think--Light in Darkness. And Pius IX his predecessor's motto was Crux upon Crux--that is. was Lux upon Lux--Light upon Light. "Yes. M'Coy tasted his whisky contentedly and shook his head with a double intention. "Pope Leo XIII. That was the aim of his life. Cross upon Cross--to show the difference between their two pontificates." "We didn't learn that. of course." said Mr. His motto. "Pope Leo. Cunningham. Kernan sententiously. Cunningham positively." said Mr. following Mr. no. "Tenebrae." "Quite right." said Mr. This new influence enlivened the conversation. was specially interested.." said Mr." said Mr." said Mr. as Pope." said Mr." 106
.. "was one of the lights of the age." said Mr. Fogarty." "No." said Mr." said Mr." The inference was allowed. Kernan. "that one of Pope Leo's poems was on the invention of the photograph--in Latin. sitting on a small area of the chair. Tom. Fogarty. Power. Power. Fogarty eagerly. you know. apart from his being Pope. "The old system was the best: plain honest education." said Mr. Mr. you know. Cunningham." said Mr. "it was Lux upon Lux. Mr. It was Lux in Tenebris." "O yes. Fogarty. "I remember reading. Cunningham continued." "He had a strong face. "I think you're wrong there." "Is that so?" said Mr.. He enunciated the word and then drank gravely. saying: "That's no joke. Mr." said Mr. I can tell you. was the union of the Latin and Greek Churches. Power. Cunningham. "No superfluities. "He wrote Latin poetry.measures of whisky were poured out. was a great scholar and a poet. you know. "when we went to the penny-a-week school. M'Coy's example." "So he was." "I often heard he was one of the most intellectual men in Europe. None of your modern trumpery.

Power. Mr." he said. "he is infallible. Fogarty interrupted. Martin. Mr. "isn't the photograph wonderful when you come to think of it?" "O. Cunningham. "Tell me. you know. Kernan."On the photograph!" exclaimed Mr.. Fogarty." said Mr. M'Coy. But the astonishing thing is this. not the most. The others accepted under protest. He took up the bottle and helped the others to a little more. M'Coy.. Fogarty explained. "great minds can see things.. you know.. because when the Pope speaks ex cathedra. Kernan seemed to be troubled in mind.. but some of the old popes--not exactly." said Mr. not our present man. not the biggest drunkard. Cunningham held up two thick fingers. there were some bad lots.. Mr.. Or was it that----?" Mr. "Yes." "Yes." said Mr. seeing that there was not enough to go round.. Cunningham. Power." "How was that. He also drank from his glass. of course. of course. Mr." said Mr. He made an effort to recall the Protestant theology on some thorny points and in the end addressed Mr. "Weren't some of the popes--of course. pleaded that he had not finished his first measure. up to the knocker?" There was a silence. "that was the greatest scene in the whole history of the Church. not one of them ever preached ex cathedra a word of false doctrine. Now isn't that an astonishing thing?" "That is. Kernan.. "What's that you were saying. 107
. Cunningham. "Yes." Mr. M'Coy." said Mr.. Not one of them. "O. out-and-out ruffian. Cunningham said "O." "As the poet says: Great minds are very near to madness. I remember I was younger then. Cunningham. Tom?" asked Mr. "Well. or his predecessor. I know about the infallibility of the Pope." said Mr. The light music of whisky falling into glasses made an agreeable interlude. "Papal infallibility." said Mr. Martin?" asked Mr..

"was the man.. all the cardinals and bishops and archbishops from all the ends of the earth and these two fighting dog and devil until at last the Pope himself stood up and declared infallibility a dogma of the Church ex cathedra."In the sacred college. "Well." He drank and the other gentlemen followed his lead. He submitted the moment the Pope spoke." said Mr. but leaned over the rail at the foot of the bed. On the very moment John MacHale. and that's a sure five. whatever his name was. Kernan. He left the church." "John of Tuam. No! They wouldn't have it!" "Ha!" said Mr. raucous voice had thrilled them as it uttered the word of belief and submission. and the other was John MacHale. Cunningham "That showed the faith he had. When Mrs." "And what about Dowling?" asked Mr. "Is it John of Tuam?" "Are you sure of that now?" asked Mr. Cunningham. "I thought it was some Italian or American. Fogarty. M'Coy. of cardinals and archbishops and bishops there were two men who held out against it while the others were all for it. Then he resumed: "There they were at it. "I once saw John MacHale. Kernan came into the room. this great German cardinal." repeated Mr. The whole conclave except these two was unanimous. laughing.. "I often told you that?" 108
. you know. His deep." He turned towards his wife to be confirmed.. who had been arguing and arguing against it. Kernan. drying her hands she came into a solemn company. Cunningham's words had built up the vast image of the church in the minds of his hearers." said Mr. or Dowling. "and I'll never forget it as long as I live. "The German cardinal wouldn't submit." Mr. She did not disturb the silence. was one. "Credo!" said Mr. M'Coy. Power." "What?" cried Mr. Fogarty dubiously.. "And they were a German cardinal by the name of Dolling. or----" "Dowling was no German. stood up and shouted out with the voice of a lion: 'Credo!'" "I believe!" said Mr.

"whatever you do. Kernan and said with abrupt joviality: "Well." Mr. Edmund Dwyer Gray was speaking. Kernan's expression changed. laughing and looking at the others. smiling a little nervously. lowering his head like an angry bull. "God!" he exclaimed. "is to stand up with lighted candles in our hands and renew our baptismal vows." "Get behind me. It was as much as to say: I have you properly taped. So she said: "I pity the poor priest that has to listen to your tale. M'Coy. crabbed-looking old chap. Tom." said Mr. Power said nothing. Kernan. do the other thing." He swept his arm round the company inclusively. Cunningham. "together.. resuming his natural face. Power turned to Mrs. "We'll all renounce the devil. Mrs. and here was this old fellow. "he can. Satan!" said Mr. Power. I'll just tell him my little tale of woe." said Mr. "It was at the unveiling of Sir John Gray's statue. we're going to make your man here a good holy pious and God-fearing Roman Catholic. blathering away." "None of the Grays was any good. He felt completely out-generalled. "All we have to do. Kernan." Mr.Mrs. Fogarty. "We're all going to make a retreat together and confess our sins--and God knows we want it badly. Cunningham intervened promptly. Mrs. looking at him from under his bushy eyebrows. He had an eye like a hawk. Kernan thought it would be wiser to conceal her satisfaction. Kernan knitted his brows and." he said bluntly. glared at his wife. Mr. But a pleased expression flickered across his face. don't forget the candle." said Mr. There was a pause again. Kernan nodded. not forgetting his works and pomps. Mr. my lad. "If he doesn't like it." 109
." "O." "I don't mind. "I never saw such an eye in a man's head." said Mr." he said.. I'm not such a bad fellow----" Mr.

Cunningham drew Mr. walked on tiptoe along the aisles until they found seating accommodation. "Must I have a candle?" "O yes. Fogarty.. who was up for the job in the Town Clerk's office. Cunningham and Mr. The gentlemen sat in the benches." said Mr. Even he was sensible of the decorous atmosphere and even he began to respond to the religious stimulus. To the right sat old Michael Grimes. Harford. directed by the lay-brother. In a whisper. relieved here and there by tweeds." said Mr. conscious of having created an effect on his audience and continuing to shake his head to and fro. Kernan. They sat well back and gazed formally at the distant speck of red light which was suspended before the high altar. "There's a nice Catholic for you!" said his wife. "I draw the line there. I'll do the retreat business and confession. Kernan's attention to Mr. M'Coy alone: and in the bench behind him sat Mr. "I bar the magic-lantern business. an old friend of Mr. the owner of three pawnbroker's shops." Everyone laughed heartily. I bar the candles!" He shook his head with farcical gravity.. Gradually. Kernan began to feel more at home.. the chief reporter of The Freeman's Journal. In the bench behind sat Mr. But. "No candles!" repeated Mr. and Dan Hogan's nephew. the registration agent and mayor maker of the city. all that business. The gentlemen were all well dressed and orderly. as he recognised familiar faces. "Listen to that!" said his wife. Mr. Kernan's. Fanning. In one of the benches near the pulpit sat Mr. Power and Mr. and poor O'Carroll. The light of the lamps of the church fell upon an assembly of black clothes and white collars. Mr. the moneylender. Kernan obdurately. Cunningham. and to Mr.. on dark mottled pillars of green marble and on lugubrious canvases. and. who sat some distance off. having hitched their trousers slightly above their knees and laid their hats in security. As these had not been well received. when the party had settled down in the form of a quincunx. Kernan. he had tried unsuccessfully to make comic remarks. and. damn it all. he had desisted. Mr. Kernan sensibly. Kernan. no candles! No. Farther in front sat Mr. which had been 110
. damn it all." said Mr. Hendrick. "I bar the candles. and still at every moment gentlemen entered from the side door and. His hat. who had been at one time a considerable commercial figure. who was sitting immediately under the pulpit beside one of the newly elected councillors of the ward. I'll do the job right enough."What?" said Mr. "That's off!"
The transept of the Jesuit Church in Gardiner Street was almost full. M'Coy had tried unsuccessfully to find a place in the bench with the others. "No.

and see if they tallied accurately with conscience. but firmly. our temptations: we might have. for the world: and in this sentence He designed to give them a word of counsel. no extravagant purpose. rested upon his knees. covering his face with his hands. he uncovered his face and rose. It was a text for business men and professional men. our failings. we all had from time to time. prayed. But one thing only. turned towards the red speck of light and. the books of his spiritual life. Kernan followed the general example. he told his hearers. A powerful-looking figure. It was one of the most difficult texts in all the Scriptures. But. to a certain extent. he said. The preacher turned back each wide sleeve of his surplice with an elaborate large gesture and slowly surveyed the array of faces. understood that all men were not called to the religious life. The priest's figure now stood upright in the pulpit. but as a man of the world speaking to his fellow-men. and. We might have had. Kernan restored his hat to its original position on his knee and presented an attentive face to the preacher. Once or twice he pulled down his cuffs with one hand while he held the brim of his hat lightly. the text had seemed to him specially adapted for the guidance of those whose lot it was to lead the life of the world and who yet wished to lead that life not in the manner of worldlings. that by far the vast majority were forced to live in the world. setting before them as exemplars in the religious life those very worshippers of Mammon who were of all men the least solicitous in matters religious. After an interval. to interpret properly. produced handkerchiefs and knelt upon them with care. He came to speak to business men and he would speak to them in a businesslike way. Simultaneously the congregation unsettled. two-thirds of its bulk. Father Purdon knelt down. he said. was observed to be struggling into the pulpit. appearing above the balustrade.rehabilitated by his wife. with the other hand. he was their spiritual accountant. Then he said: "For the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. Jesus Christ with His divine understanding of every cranny of our human nature." Father Purdon developed the text with resonant assurance. he would ask of his hearers. and he wished each and every one of his hearers to open his books. It was a text which might seem to the casual observer at variance with the lofty morality elsewhere preached by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was not a hard taskmaster. Mr. If he might use the metaphor. we all had. He understood our little failings. the upper part of which was draped with a white surplice. The congregation rose also and settled again on its benches. crowned by a massive red face. He told his hearers that he was there that evening for no terrifying. Wherefore make unto yourselves friends out of the mammon of iniquity so that when you die they may receive you into everlasting dwellings. understood the temptations of this life. he said. And that was: to be 111
. Mr. understood the weakness of our poor fallen nature.

the Misses Morkan's annual dance. It was always a great affair."
THE DEAD LILY. I will set right my accounts. Everybody who knew them came to it. If their accounts tallied in every point to say: "Well. Mary Jane. ever since Kate and Julia. there were some discrepancies. Though their life was modest. 112
. old friends of the family. I have verified my accounts. the members of Julia's choir. with God's grace. But the only thing they would not stand was back answers. gaunt house on Usher's Island. I will rectify this and this. That was a good thirty years ago if it was a day. walking after each other to the head of the stairs. after the death of their brother Pat. members of the family. She had been through the Academy and gave a pupils' concert every year in the upper room of the Antient Concert Rooms. that was all. any of Kate's pupils that were grown up enough. Never once had it fallen flat. But Lily seldom made a mistake in the orders. was still the leading soprano in Adam and Eve's. Miss Kate and Miss Julia were there. was literally run off her feet. It was well for her she had not to attend to the ladies also. the best of everything: diamond-bone sirloins. their only niece.straight and manly with God. Old as they were. Hardly had she brought one gentleman into the little pantry behind the office on the ground floor and helped him off with his overcoat than the wheezy hall-door bell clanged again and she had to scamper along the bare hallway to let in another guest. her aunts also did their share. But Miss Kate and Miss Julia had thought of that and had converted the bathroom upstairs into a ladies' dressing-room. being too feeble to go about much. Fulham. so that she got on well with her three mistresses. But. three-shilling tea and the best bottled stout. as long as anyone could remember. to admit the truth. who was then a little girl in short clothes. the caretaker's daughter. the upper part of which they had rented from Mr." But if. did housemaid's work for them. gave music lessons to beginners on the old square piano in the back room. though she was quite grey. peering down over the banisters and calling down to Lily to ask her who had come. to be frank and say like a man: "Well. Lily. had left the house in Stoney Batter and taken Mary Jane. Julia. and even some of Mary Jane's pupils too. they believed in eating well. I have looked into my accounts. for she had the organ in Haddington Road. was now the main prop of the household. to live with them in the dark. Many of her pupils belonged to the better-class families on the Kingstown and Dalkey line. I find this wrong and this wrong. I find all well. as might happen. They were fussy. the corn-factor on the ground floor. gossiping and laughing and fussing. For years and years it had gone off in splendid style. the caretaker's daughter. and Kate.

a cold. Gabriel had known her when she was a child and used to sit on the lowest step nursing a rag doll. said she must be perished alive. Freddy Malins always came late. Besides they were dreadfully afraid that Freddy Malins might turn up screwed. "Is it snowing again. Good-night. and when he was like that it was sometimes very hard to manage him." Kate and Julia came toddling down the dark stairs at once. Conroy. And then it was long after ten o'clock and yet there was no sign of Gabriel and his wife. They would not wish for worlds that any of Mary Jane's pupils should see him under the influence. pale in complexion and with hay-coloured hair. She had preceded him into the pantry to help him off with his overcoat. She was a slim. scraping the snow from his goloshes. Mrs." "I'll engage they did. Both of them kissed Gabriel's wife." he answered. growing girl. I'll follow. "Tell me. "but they forget that my wife here takes three mortal hours to dress herself. laughing." said Gabriel." He stood on the mat. "Here I am as right as the mail. Lily. while Lily led his wife to the foot of the stairs and called out: "Miss Kate. "Yes. and." he said in a friendly tone. who was folding his overcoat carefully at the end of a shelf. they had good reason to be fussy on such a night. Mr. "O. listened for a moment to the piano and then glanced at the girl. He continued scraping his feet vigorously while the three women went upstairs. Mr." called out Gabriel from the dark." He looked up at the pantry ceiling. The gas in the pantry made her look still paler. Gabriel smiled at the three syllables she had given his surname and glanced at her. "Miss Kate and Miss Julia thought you were never coming. "and I think we're in for a night of it.Of course. Lily. and asked was Gabriel with her. A light fringe of snow lay like a cape on the shoulders of his overcoat and like toecaps on the toes of his goloshes. Conroy. which was shaking with the stamping and shuffling of feet on the floor above." said Lily to Gabriel when she opened the door for him. here's Mrs. "do you still go to 113
. as the buttons of his overcoat slipped with a squeaking noise through the snow-stiffened frieze. Conroy. Conroy?" asked Lily. Aunt Kate! Go on up. to the ladies' dressing-room. but they wondered what could be keeping Gabriel: and that was what brought them every two minutes to the banisters to ask Lily had Gabriel or Freddy come. fragrant air from out-of-doors escaped from crevices and folds.

as if he felt he had made a mistake and." said Gabriel gaily. kicked off his goloshes and flicked actively with his muffler at his patent-leather shoes. "O no. following him. His glossy black hair was parted in the middle and brushed in a long curve behind his ears where it curled slightly beneath the groove left by his hat." Gabriel coloured." he said. called out after him: "Well. "I'm done schooling this year and more. thank you. sir. When he had flicked lustre into his shoes he stood up and pulled his waistcoat down more tightly on his plump body. without looking at her. sir. He then took from his waistcoat pocket a little paper and glanced at the headings he had made for his speech." she answered. He was a stout. and on his hairless face there scintillated restlessly the polished lenses and the bright gilt rims of the glasses which screened his delicate and restless eyes. Then he took a coin rapidly from his pocket. "I suppose we'll be going to your wedding one of these fine days with your young man. where it scattered itself in a few formless patches of pale red. The high colour of his cheeks pushed upwards even to his forehead. listening to the skirts that swept against it and to the shuffling of feet." He waited outside the drawing-room door until the waltz should finish.. seeing that he had gained the stairs. thrusting it into her hands.. isn't it? Just. "it's Christmastime. I wouldn't take it." "Christmas-time! Christmas-time!" said Gabriel. almost trotting to the stairs and waving his hand to her in deprecation. here's a little. He was undecided about the lines from Robert Browning. "Really. He was still discomposed by the girl's bitter and sudden retort. Some quotation that they would recognise from Shakespeare or from the Melodies would be better." "O.. for he feared they would be above the heads of his hearers. The indelicate clacking of the men's heels and the shuffling of their soles 114
." He walked rapidly towards the door. then.. It had cast a gloom over him which he tried to dispel by arranging his cuffs and the bows of his tie.. The girl. sir. tallish young man.school?" "O no. eh?" The girl glanced back at him over her shoulder and said with great bitterness: "The men that is now is only all palaver and what they can get out of you. "O Lily. sir!" cried the girl.

" said Aunt Kate. plainly dressed old women. Just then his aunts and his wife came out of the ladies' dressing-room. They both kissed Gabriel frankly. His aunts were two small.reminded him that their grade of culture differed from his. Conroy of the Port and Docks. "That's the latest. Aunt Kate was more vivacious. "He's really an awful bother. J. with darker shadows. her slow eyes and parted lips gave her the appearance of a woman who did not know where she was or where she was going. Gabriel." she said. was all puckers and creases." Aunt Kate frowned severely and nodded her head at every word. "Goloshes!" said Mrs.. He had taken up a wrong tone. Conroy. "she'd walk home in the snow if she were let. Gretta caught a dreadful cold. whose admiring and happy eyes had been wandering from her dress to her face and hair. what a cold Gretta got out of it? Cab windows rattling all the way. "You can't be too careful. and the east wind blowing in after we passed Merrion. braided in the same old-fashioned way. and grey also. O. He would fail with them just as he had failed with the girl in the pantry. "No. who had married T." "But as for Gretta there. He would only make himself ridiculous by quoting poetry to them which they could not understand. Gabriel. Her face. had not lost its ripe nut colour. Aunt Kate. Her hair. healthier than her sister's. "we had quite enough of that last year." said Gabriel. "Quite right.. Aunt Kate. what with green shades for Tom's eyes at night and making him do the dumb-bells. They would think that he was airing his superior education." she said. He was their favourite nephew the son of their dead elder sister. The poor child! And she simply hates the sight of it!. like a shrivelled red apple. His whole speech was a mistake from first to last. turning to his wife. Though she was stout in build and stood erect. Ellen. "Gretta tells me you're not going to take a cab back to Monkstown tonight. hadn't we? Don't you remember. but you'll never guess what he makes me wear now!" She broke out into a peal of laughter and glanced at her husband. Conroy laughed. was her large flaccid face. Very jolly it was. drawn low over the tops of her ears. and her hair. Tonight even. he wanted me to put 115
. quite right. for Gabriel's solicitude was a standing joke with them. too. Whenever it's wet underfoot I must put on my galoshes. and forcing Eva to eat the stirabout." Mrs." said Gabriel. Aunt Julia was an inch or so the taller. an utter failure. The two aunts laughed heartily. "Don't mind him. was grey.

. "I've taken one in the Gresham. Conroy. "What a comfort it is to have a girl like that. came back and announced blandly: "Here's Freddy. We both have a pair now. Gretta. The drawing-room door was opened 116
.. as if he were slightly angered: "It's nothing very wonderful. Gretta was saying. who had gone half way down one flight. for one night. while Aunt Kate nearly doubled herself." said Mrs. on the Continent. Gabriel." said Aunt Kate. I'm sure I don't know what has come over her lately. Gabriel knitted his brows and said. The next thing he'll buy me will be a diving suit." she said almost testily. but I wouldn't." "O. "by far the best thing to do. but she broke off suddenly to gaze after her sister. don't you know what goloshes are? You wear them over your." At the same moment a clapping of hands and a final flourish of the pianist told that the waltz had ended. but Gretta thinks it very funny because she says the word reminds her of Christy Minstrels. isn't it?" "Yes." Gabriel laughed nervously and patted his tie reassuringly." murmured Aunt Julia. one you can depend on! There's that Lily." "O. "Of course. Gabriel?" "Goloshes. "Now.. so heartily did she enjoy the joke." replied Gabriel. She's not the girl she was at all. with brisk tact. I ask you. "Guttapercha things. Gabriel says everyone wears them on the Continent. "Besides. you're not anxious about them?" "O. "where is Julia going? Julia! Julia! Where are you going?" Julia. you've seen about the room." said Aunt Kate. nodding her head slowly. Conroy. who had wandered down the stairs and was craning her neck over the banisters." Gabriel was about to ask his aunt some questions on this point." "To be sure." said Aunt Kate again.. over your boots." "To be sure." said Mrs. Gretta. And the children. Bessie will look after them. Julia!" exclaimed her sister "Goodness me. the room is all right." "But tell me. The smile soon faded from Aunt Julia's face and her mirthless eyes were directed towards her nephew's face. After a pause she asked: "And what are goloshes.them on.

filled out for himself a goodly measure of whisky. and don't let him up if he's screwed." Gabriel went to the stairs and listened over the banisters. Then he asked one of the young men to move aside." His wizened face broke into a broader smile. and the three young ladies laughed in musical echo to his pleasantry. I always feel easier in my mind when he's here. Thanks for your beautiful waltz. Aunt Kate drew Gabriel aside hurriedly and whispered into his ear: "Slip down.. there's Miss Daly and Miss Power will take some refreshment. hot. Then he recognised Freddy Malins' laugh. He could hear two persons talking in the pantry. The boldest said: "O. It made lovely time. said: "And may we have some refreshment.. Browne and Miss Furlong.from within and some couples came out. Miss Daly. too. The young men eyed him respectfully while he took a trial sip. with a stiff grizzled moustache and swarthy skin. As they said they never took anything strong. Mr." said Aunt Kate summarily." 117
. with nervous jerks of their shoulders. pursing his lips until his moustache bristled and smiling in all his wrinkles. he opened three bottles of lemonade for them. He went down the stairs noisily. Julia. but. I'm sure the doctor never ordered anything of the kind. with Miss Daly and Miss Power. I'm sure he's screwed." said Aunt Kate to Mrs. Mr. like a good fellow and see if he's all right. in jest. On the sideboard were arrayed dishes and plates. and on these Aunt Julia and the caretaker were straightening and smoothing a large cloth. smiling. at once led the three young ladies into the back room. Browne. Browne led his charges thither and invited them all. I'm sure he is. and. Gabriel. The top of the closed square piano served also as a sideboard for viands and sweets. At a smaller sideboard in one corner two young men were standing. "God help me. "You know. Take them in. Miss Morkan. Conroy. "It's such a relief. "it's the doctor's orders. Julia. strong and sweet. and glasses and bundles of knives and forks and spoons." he said. swaying their bodies to and fro. drinking hop-bitters. the reason they are so fond of me is----" He did not finish his sentence." said Mr. to some ladies' punch." "I'm the man for the ladies. Browne. taking hold of the decanter.." A tall wizen-faced man. Miss Morkan?" "Julia. who was passing out with his partner. "that Gabriel is here. The middle of the room was occupied by two square tables placed end to end. seeing that Aunt Kate was out of earshot. now. "and here's Mr.

" "I don't mind in the least. received his speech in silence. A red-faced young woman. "Who is it?" Julia. Miss Furlong. They had hardly gone when Aunt Julia wandered slowly into the room. make me take it." In fact right behind her Gabriel could be seen piloting Freddy Malins 118
. Kerrigan. Kerrigan. crying: "Two gentlemen and three ladies. you're really awfully good. who is reported to have said: 'Now. with sidling mimicry: "Well. looking behind her at something. turned promptly to the two young men who were more appreciative. All Dublin is raving about him. Mr.'" His hot face had leaned forward a little too confidentially and he had assumed a very low Dublin accent so that the young ladies. Mary Jane. here's Mr." "Lovely voice. Kate. turned to her sister and said. Bergin and Mr. and Gabriel with him. came into the room. The two young gentlemen asked the ladies if they might have the pleasure. who was carrying in a column of table-napkins.Mr. Miss Daly. if I don't take it. Mary Jane!" "O. I'm like the famous Mrs. Mr. as if the question had surprised her: "It's only Freddy. Bartell D'Arcy. "O. asked Miss Daly what was the name of the pretty waltz she had played. dressed in pansy. will you take Miss Power? Miss Furlong. after playing for the last two dances. simply. Bergin. I'll get him to sing later on. but really we're so short of ladies tonight. may I get you a partner." "Three ladies." said Mary Jane. for I feel I want it. "What is the matter. Mary Grimes. Browne. that'll just do now." said Aunt Kate. Cassidy. Miss Morkan. "Mr. seeing that he was ignored. lovely voice!" said Aunt Kate. excitedly clapping her hands and crying: "Quadrilles! Quadrilles!" Close on her heels came Aunt Kate. Julia?" asked Aunt Kate anxiously." "But I've a nice partner for you. the tenor. As the piano had twice begun the prelude to the first figure Mary Jane led her recruits quickly from the room. who was one of Mary Jane's pupils. and Mary Jane turned to Miss Daly. O. and Mr. you see. Browne took another sip of his whisky and said. with one instinct.

across the landing. The latter, a young man of about forty, was of Gabriel's size and build, with very round shoulders. His face was fleshy and pallid, touched with colour only at the thick hanging lobes of his ears and at the wide wings of his nose. He had coarse features, a blunt nose, a convex and receding brow, tumid and protruded lips. His heavy-lidded eyes and the disorder of his scanty hair made him look sleepy. He was laughing heartily in a high key at a story which he had been telling Gabriel on the stairs and at the same time rubbing the knuckles of his left fist backwards and forwards into his left eye. "Good-evening, Freddy," said Aunt Julia. Freddy Malins bade the Misses Morkan good-evening in what seemed an offhand fashion by reason of the habitual catch in his voice and then, seeing that Mr. Browne was grinning at him from the sideboard, crossed the room on rather shaky legs and began to repeat in an undertone the story he had just told to Gabriel. "He's not so bad, is he?" said Aunt Kate to Gabriel. Gabriel's brows were dark but he raised them quickly and answered: "O, no, hardly noticeable." "Now, isn't he a terrible fellow!" she said. "And his poor mother made him take the pledge on New Year's Eve. But come on, Gabriel, into the drawing-room." Before leaving the room with Gabriel she signalled to Mr. Browne by frowning and shaking her forefinger in warning to and fro. Mr. Browne nodded in answer and, when she had gone, said to Freddy Malins: "Now, then, Teddy, I'm going to fill you out a good glass of lemonade just to buck you up." Freddy Malins, who was nearing the climax of his story, waved the offer aside impatiently but Mr. Browne, having first called Freddy Malins' attention to a disarray in his dress, filled out and handed him a full glass of lemonade. Freddy Malins' left hand accepted the glass mechanically, his right hand being engaged in the mechanical readjustment of his dress. Mr. Browne, whose face was once more wrinkling with mirth, poured out for himself a glass of whisky while Freddy Malins exploded, before he had well reached the climax of his story, in a kink of high-pitched bronchitic laughter and, setting down his untasted and overflowing glass, began to rub the knuckles of his left fist backwards and forwards into his left eye, repeating words of his last phrase as well as his fit of laughter would allow him. Gabriel could not listen while Mary Jane was playing her Academy piece, full of runs and difficult passages, to the hushed drawing-room. He liked music but the piece she was playing had no melody for him and he doubted whether it had any melody for the other listeners, though they had begged Mary Jane to play something. Four young men, who had come from the refreshment-room to stand in the doorway at the sound of the 119

piano, had gone away quietly in couples after a few minutes. The only persons who seemed to follow the music were Mary Jane herself, her hands racing along the key-board or lifted from it at the pauses like those of a priestess in momentary imprecation, and Aunt Kate standing at her elbow to turn the page. Gabriel's eyes, irritated by the floor, which glittered with beeswax under the heavy chandelier, wandered to the wall above the piano. A picture of the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet hung there and beside it was a picture of the two murdered princes in the Tower which Aunt Julia had worked in red, blue and brown wools when she was a girl. Probably in the school they had gone to as girls that kind of work had been taught for one year. His mother had worked for him as a birthday present a waistcoat of purple tabinet, with little foxes' heads upon it, lined with brown satin and having round mulberry buttons. It was strange that his mother had had no musical talent though Aunt Kate used to call her the brains carrier of the Morkan family. Both she and Julia had always seemed a little proud of their serious and matronly sister. Her photograph stood before the pierglass. She held an open book on her knees and was pointing out something in it to Constantine who, dressed in a man-o-war suit, lay at her feet. It was she who had chosen the name of her sons for she was very sensible of the dignity of family life. Thanks to her, Constantine was now senior curate in Balbrigan and, thanks to her, Gabriel himself had taken his degree in the Royal University. A shadow passed over his face as he remembered her sullen opposition to his marriage. Some slighting phrases she had used still rankled in his memory; she had once spoken of Gretta as being country cute and that was not true of Gretta at all. It was Gretta who had nursed her during all her last long illness in their house at Monkstown. He knew that Mary Jane must be near the end of her piece for she was playing again the opening melody with runs of scales after every bar and while he waited for the end the resentment died down in his heart. The piece ended with a trill of octaves in the treble and a final deep octave in the bass. Great applause greeted Mary Jane as, blushing and rolling up her music nervously, she escaped from the room. The most vigorous clapping came from the four young men in the doorway who had gone away to the refreshment-room at the beginning of the piece but had come back when the piano had stopped. Lancers were arranged. Gabriel found himself partnered with Miss Ivors. She was a frank-mannered talkative young lady, with a freckled face and prominent brown eyes. She did not wear a low-cut bodice and the large brooch which was fixed in the front of her collar bore on it an Irish device and motto. When they had taken their places she said abruptly: "I have a crow to pluck with you." "With me?" said Gabriel. She nodded her head gravely. 120

"What is it?" asked Gabriel, smiling at her solemn manner. "Who is G. C.?" answered Miss Ivors, turning her eyes upon him. Gabriel coloured and was about to knit his brows, as if he did not understand, when she said bluntly: "O, innocent Amy! I have found out that you write for The Daily Express. Now, aren't you ashamed of yourself?" "Why should I be ashamed of myself?" asked Gabriel, blinking his eyes and trying to smile. "Well, I'm ashamed of you," said Miss Ivors frankly. "To say you'd write for a paper like that. I didn't think you were a West Briton." A look of perplexity appeared on Gabriel's face. It was true that he wrote a literary column every Wednesday in The Daily Express, for which he was paid fifteen shillings. But that did not make him a West Briton surely. The books he received for review were almost more welcome than the paltry cheque. He loved to feel the covers and turn over the pages of newly printed books. Nearly every day when his teaching in the college was ended he used to wander down the quays to the second-hand booksellers, to Hickey's on Bachelor's Walk, to Web's or Massey's on Aston's Quay, or to O'Clohissey's in the bystreet. He did not know how to meet her charge. He wanted to say that literature was above politics. But they were friends of many years' standing and their careers had been parallel, first at the University and then as teachers: he could not risk a grandiose phrase with her. He continued blinking his eyes and trying to smile and murmured lamely that he saw nothing political in writing reviews of books. When their turn to cross had come he was still perplexed and inattentive. Miss Ivors promptly took his hand in a warm grasp and said in a soft friendly tone: "Of course, I was only joking. Come, we cross now." When they were together again she spoke of the University question and Gabriel felt more at ease. A friend of hers had shown her his review of Browning's poems. That was how she had found out the secret: but she liked the review immensely. Then she said suddenly: "O, Mr. Conroy, will you come for an excursion to the Aran Isles this summer? We're going to stay there a whole month. It will be splendid out in the Atlantic. You ought to come. Mr. Clancy is coming, and Mr. Kilkelly and Kathleen Kearney. It would be splendid for Gretta too if she'd come. She's from Connacht, isn't she?" "Her people are," said Gabriel shortly. "But you will come, won't you?" said Miss Ivors, laying her arm hand eagerly on his arm. 121

"it's partly to keep in touch with the languages and partly for a change." "And haven't you your own language to keep in touch with--Irish?" asked Miss Ivors. as he had not answered her. just as the chain was about to start again. your own people." said Miss Ivors. "instead of visiting your own land?" "Well. She looked at him from under her brows for a moment quizzically until he smiled. They had to go visiting together and. every year I go for a cycling tour with some fellows and so----" "But where?" asked Miss Ivors. you know."The fact is. you know. He avoided her eyes for he had seen a sour expression on her face. Gabriel glanced right and left nervously and tried to keep his good humour under the ordeal which was making a blush invade his forehead." Their neighbours had turned to listen to the cross-examination. to tell you the truth. Miss Ivors said warmly: "Of course. and your own country?" "O. "if it comes to that. you've no answer. "Well." said Gabriel. Gabriel did not answer for his retort had heated him. "And why do you go to France and Belgium. sick of it!" "Why?" asked Miss Ivors. "And haven't you your own land to visit. "Why?" repeated Miss Ivors. "Well. she stood on tiptoe and whispered into his ear: "West Briton!" 122
. "Well. Irish is not my language. we usually go to France or Belgium or perhaps Germany." continued Miss Ivors." said Gabriel awkwardly. Then. "that you know nothing of." retorted Gabriel suddenly." said Gabriel." Gabriel tried to cover his agitation by taking part in the dance with great energy. "I have just arranged to go----" "Go where?" asked Miss Ivors. "I'm sick of my own country." said Gabriel. But when they met in the long chain he was surprised to feel his hand firmly pressed.

I'm trying to get that Mr. But she had no right to call him a West Briton before people. She answered placidly that she had had a beautiful crossing and that the captain had been most attentive to her." said Gabriel moodily. She looked at him for a moment. She had been told that Freddy had come and that he was nearly all right. or whatever she was. then turned to Mrs. She lived with her married daughter in Glasgow and came to Dublin on a visit once a year. "I'd love to see Galway again. "She's sending in the younger ones first as soon as this waltz is over so that we'll have the table to ourselves. I think. heckling him and staring at him with her rabbit's eyes. He's full of conceit." His wife clasped her hands excitedly and gave a little jump. Malins and said: "There's a nice husband for you." While she was threading her way back across the room Mrs." "Were you dancing?" asked Gabriel. Of course the girl or woman. Gabriel asked her whether she had had a good crossing. Aunt Kate wants to know won't you carve the goose as usual. When she reached him she said into his ear: "Gabriel." "You can go if you like. Malins. went on to tell Gabriel what beautiful places there were in Scotland and beautiful scenery. Her voice had a catch in it like her son's and she stuttered slightly. Perhaps he ought not to have answered her like that. She had tried to make him ridiculous before people. He saw his wife making her way towards him through the waltzing couples. without adverting to the interruption. Malins." said Gabriel. "Of course I was. Her son-in-law brought them every year to the lakes and they used to go 123
. Gabriel. do go. was an enthusiast but there was a time for all things. "only she wanted me to go for a trip to the west of Ireland and I said I wouldn't." said Gabriel coldly. Miss Daly will carve the ham and I'll do the pudding. She was a stout feeble old woman with white hair. Didn't you see me? What row had you with Molly Ivors?" "No row." "All right. While her tongue rambled on Gabriel tried to banish from his mind all memory of the unpleasant incident with Miss Ivors." "There was no row.When the lancers were over Gabriel went away to a remote corner of the room where Freddy Malins' mother was sitting. Why? Did she say so?" "Something like that. "O. and of all the friends they had there. She spoke also of the beautiful house her daughter kept in Glasgow." she cried. Mrs. D'Arcy to sing. even in joke.

and Aunt Julia. strong and clear in tone. He would say. Mr. One day he caught a beautiful big fish and the man in the hotel cooked it for their dinner. How much more pleasant it would be there than at the supper-table! He ran over the headings of his speech: Irish hospitality. first along by the river and then through the park! The snow would be lying on the branches of the trees and forming a bright cap on the top of the Wellington Monument. Paris. the quotation from Browning. of humanity. Freddy Malins. Now that supper was coming near he began to think again about his speech and about the quotation. Was she sincere? Had she really any life of her own behind all her propagandism? There had never been any ill-feeling between them until that night. half turned so as to pitch her voice fairly into the room. the Three Graces. Gabriel's warm trembling fingers tapped the cold pane of the window. When he saw Freddy Malins coming across the room to visit his mother Gabriel left the chair free for him and retired into the embrasure of the window. sad memories. of humour. An irregular musketry of applause escorted her also as far as the piano and then. the generation which is now on the wane among us may have had its faults but for my part I think it had certain qualities of hospitality. The room had already cleared and from the back room came the clatter of plates and knives. alluding to Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia: "Ladies and Gentlemen. was still applauding when everyone else had ceased and talking animatedly to his mother who nodded her head gravely and slowly 124
. Gabriel recognised the prelude. Gabriel applauded loudly with all the others at the close of the song and loud applause was borne in from the invisible supper-table. An idea came into his mind and gave him courage. Those who still remained in the drawing room seemed tired of dancing and were conversing quietly in little groups. gallantly escorting Aunt Julia. which the new and very serious and hypereducated generation that is growing up around us seems to me to lack. It unnerved him to think that she would be at the supper-table. who leaned upon his arm. was to feel and share the excitement of swift and secure flight." Very good: that was one for Miss Ivors. To follow the voice.fishing. Browne was advancing from the door. What did he care that his aunts were only two ignorant old women? A murmur in the room attracted his attention. It was that of an old song of Aunt Julia's--Arrayed for the Bridal. no longer smiling. who had listened with his head perched sideways to hear her better. It sounded so genuine that a little colour struggled into Aunt Julia's face as she bent to replace in the music-stand the old leather-bound songbook that had her initials on the cover. looking up at him while he spoke with her critical quizzing eyes. Perhaps she would not be sorry to see him fail in his speech. Her son-in-law was a splendid fisher. smiling and hanging her head. gradually ceased. How cool it must be outside! How pleasant it would be to walk out alone." Miss Ivors had praised the review. He repeated to himself a phrase he had written in his review: "One feels that one is listening to a thought-tormented music. Her voice. attacked with great spirit the runs which embellish the air and though she sang very rapidly she did not miss even the smallest of the grace notes. as Mary Jane seated herself on the stool. Gabriel hardly heard what she said. without looking at the singer's face.

" She turned as if to appeal to the good sense of the others against a refractory child while Aunt Julia gazed in front of her. so clear and fresh. my latest discovery!" He was laughing very heartily at this himself when Freddy Malins turned to him and said: "Well. Mr. But it's not just. "she wouldn't be said or led by anyone. Aunt Kate?" asked Mary Jane." Aunt Julia smiled broadly and murmured something about compliments as she released her hand from his grasp. and it's not right. I never heard your voice sound so fresh and so. slaving there in that choir night and day. he stood up suddenly and hurried across the room to Aunt Julia whose hand he seized and held in both his hands." 125
. Mary Jane.. Browne." he said. "I was just telling my mother. never. Six o'clock on Christmas morning! And all for what?" "Well." continued Aunt Kate. "I think her voice has greatly improved. "I never heard you sing so well. isn't it for the honour of God." said Aunt Kate emphatically. a vague smile of reminiscence playing on her face. but I think it's not at all honourable for the pope to turn out the women out of the choirs that have slaved there all their lives and put little whipper-snappers of boys over their heads. twisting round on the piano-stool and smiling." said Mr. "No. never. if you're serious you might make a worse discovery. Mary Jane. I suppose it is for the good of the Church if the pope does it. At last. shaking it when words failed him or the catch in his voice proved too much for him. But she never would be said by me. Browne.in acquiescence. "that she was simply thrown away in that choir. Browne extended his open hand towards her and said to those who were near him in the manner of a showman introducing a prodigy to an audience: "Miss Julia Morkan." "Neither did I." Aunt Julia shrugged her shoulders and said with meek pride: "Thirty years ago I hadn't a bad voice as voices go. night and day. Aunt Kate turned fiercely on her niece and said: "I know all about the honour of God. I never heard your voice so good as it is tonight. All I can say is I never heard her sing half so well as long as I am coming here. Upon my word and honour that's the truth. when he could clap no more. Now! Would you believe that now? That's the truth. No. And that's the honest truth." "I often told Julia..

I'm only a stupid old woman and I wouldn't presume to do such a thing. "For goodness' sake go in to your 126
." said Mary Jane." "And besides. "after all your dancing. I assure you. and said hastily: "O. Miss Ivors. Molly." said Mary Jane. Conroy. But there's such a thing as common everyday politeness and gratitude. "I am afraid you didn't enjoy yourself at all. who was grinning at this allusion to his religion. "and finish the discussion afterwards. it's only two steps up the quay. And if I were in Julia's place I'd tell that Father Healey straight up to his face. intervened pacifically: "Now." said Mary Jane hopelessly." said Miss Ivors. "we really are all hungry and when we are hungry we are all very quarrelsome. who had put on her hat and was buttoning her cloak. "O. would not stay. I don't question the pope's being right. Conroy. "So that we had better go to supper." "But how can you get home?" asked Mrs." "And when we are thirsty we are also quarrelsome. She did not feel in the least hungry and she had already overstayed her time. But Miss Ivors." said Mrs. "Ever so much. "That won't delay you.." she cried.She had worked herself into a passion and would have continued in defence of her sister for it was a sore subject with her but Mary Jane." "I really couldn't." Aunt Kate turned to Mr." "To take a pick itself. Browne. Aunt Kate. you're giving scandal to Mr. "but you really must let me run off now." Gabriel hesitated a moment and said: "If you will allow me." added Mr. "I won't hear of it." On the landing outside the drawing-room Gabriel found his wife and Mary Jane trying to persuade Miss Ivors to stay for supper. seeing that all the dancers had come back." said Miss Ivors.." said Mary Jane. "But only for ten minutes. I'll see you home if you are really obliged to go. Browne. Aunt Kate. Browne who is of the other persuasion." But Miss Ivors broke away from them.

drawn up according to the colours of their uniforms. He stared blankly down the staircase. Conroy frankly. two squat old-fashioned decanters of cut glass. almost wringing her hands in despair." said Mrs. the first two black.suppers and don't mind me. Mary Jane gazed after her. what shall I send you?" he asked. In the centre of the table there stood. On the closed square piano a pudding in a huge yellow dish lay in waiting and behind it were three squads of bottles of stout and ale and minerals. as she ran down the staircase. what for you?" 127
." cried Miss Ivors. Gabriel took his seat boldly at the head of the table and. if necessary. a companion dish on which lay a solid rectangle of Smyrna figs. and nobody to carve the goose!" "Here I am. "Where on earth is Gabriel? There's everyone waiting in there. with brown and red labels. "ready to carve a flock of geese. on which lay bunches of purple raisins and peeled almonds. having looked to the edge of the carver. "A wing or a slice of the breast?" "Just a small slice of the breast. with a laugh. I'm quite well able to take care of myself. lay a great ham. a neat paper frill round its shin and beside this was a round of spiced beef." "Well. "Miss Furlong. one containing port and the other dark sherry. But she did not seem to be in ill humour: she had gone away laughing. a dish of custard topped with grated nutmeg. He felt quite at ease now for he was an expert carver and liked nothing better than to find himself at the head of a well-laden table. plunged his fork firmly into the goose. stage to let. a moody puzzled expression on her face." "Miss Higgins. a small bowl full of chocolates and sweets wrapped in gold and silver papers and a glass vase in which stood some tall celery stalks. "Where is Gabriel?" she cried. with sudden animation. Conroy leaned over the banisters to listen for the hall-door. while Mrs. on a bed of creased paper strewn with sprigs of parsley. as sentries to a fruit-stand which upheld a pyramid of oranges and American apples. red and yellow. Molly. Gabriel asked himself was he the cause of her abrupt departure. you're the comical girl. the third and smallest squad white." A fat brown goose lay at one end of the table and at the other end. At the moment Aunt Kate came toddling out of the supper-room. a shallow dish full of blocks of blancmange and red jam. stripped of its outer skin and peppered over with crust crumbs. Between these rival ends ran parallel lines of side-dishes: two little minsters of jelly. "Beannacht libh. with transverse green sashes. a large green leaf-shaped dish with a stalk-shaped handle. Aunt Kate!" cried Gabriel.

"No." He set to his supper and took no part in the conversation with which the table covered Lily's removal of the plates. I think he has a grand voice. Gabriel began to carve second helpings as soon as he had finished the first round without serving himself. Mr. walking on each other's heels. the tenor. "Because."O. for a few minutes. Everyone protested loudly so that he compromised by taking a long draught of stout for he had found the carving hot work." A chorus of voices invited him to begin his own supper and Lily came forward with three potatoes which she had reserved for him. Mary Jane waited on her pupils and saw that they got the best slices and Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia opened and carried across from the piano bottles of stout and ale for the gentlemen and bottles of minerals for the ladies. This was Mary Jane's idea and she had also suggested apple sauce for the goose but Aunt Kate had said that plain roast goose without any apple sauce had always been good enough for her and she hoped she might never eat worse. "kindly forget my existence. Mr. capturing Aunt Kate. Bartell D'Arcy carelessly. getting in each other's way and giving each other unheeded orders. Freddy Malins said there was a Negro chieftain singing in the second part of the Gaiety pantomime who had one of the finest tenor voices he had ever heard. Mary Jane settled down quietly to her supper but Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia were still toddling round the table." said Gabriel amiably. a dark-complexioned young man with a smart moustache." "It takes Teddy to find out the really good things. Browne begged of them to sit down and eat their suppers and so did Gabriel but they said there was time enough." answered Mr. Freddy Malins stood up and. of corks and glass-stoppers. "Have you heard him?" he asked Mr. of knives and forks. "now I'd be curious to hear your opinion of him. so that. Mr. The subject of talk was the opera company which was then at the Theatre Royal." Freddy Malins explained. When everyone had been well served Gabriel said. There was a great deal of confusion and laughter and noise." said Mr. the noise of orders and counter-orders. Browne 128
. ladies and gentlemen." While Gabriel and Miss Daly exchanged plates of goose and plates of ham and spiced beef Lily went from guest to guest with a dish of hot floury potatoes wrapped in a white napkin. if anyone wants a little more of what vulgar people call stuffing let him or her speak. plumped her down on her chair amid general laughter. as he took another preparatory draught. anything at all. Bartell D'Arcy. at last. smiling: "Now. "Very well. praised very highly the leading contralto of the company but Miss Furlong thought she had a rather vulgar style of production. Bartell D'Arcy across the table. Conroy.

for example. the great Trebelli. Ilma de Murzka." "Where are they?" asked Mr." said Mr. Browne could go back farther still. "I remember hearing of old Parkinson but he's too far back for me. Paris. "Oh. who had been picking a bone. "For me. the huge pudding was transferred to the table. when there was something like singing to be heard in Dublin. yes. of how one night an Italian tenor had sung five encores to Let me like a Soldier fall." "Strange. Miss Morkan is right. Lucrezia Borgia? Because they could not get the voices to sing them: that was why." "Maybe so. "Is it because he's only a black?" Nobody answered this question and Mary Jane led the table back to the legitimate opera. he said." said Mr. I mean. but it made her think of poor Georgina Burns. "His name. "And why couldn't he have a voice too?" asked Freddy Malins sharply. mellow English tenor." said Mr. "I never even heard of him. Bartell D'Arcy. Bartell D'Arcy. she said." "O. and of how the gallery boys would sometimes in their enthusiasm unyoke the horses from the carriage of some great prima donna and pull her themselves through the streets to her hotel." said Mr. I'd give anything to hear Caruso sing. Ravelli." said Aunt Kate. Those were the days. "In London. Aramburo. Dinorah. "I presume there are as good singers today as there were then. Giuglini. if not better than any of the men you have mentioned. But I suppose none of you ever heard of him. well." said Aunt Kate." "A beautiful. Campanini. Browne defiantly. One of her pupils had given her a pass for Mignon. "there was only one tenor. Why did they never play the grand old operas now." "Who was he." said Aunt Kate with enthusiasm." said Mr. introducing a high C every time. to the old Italian companies that used to come to Dublin--Tietjens. To please me. Mr. Browne. "was Parkinson. "But I may tell you I doubt it strongly. Gabriel's wife served out 129
. Bartell D'Arcy warmly. Of course it was very fine. "I suppose Caruso. sweet. is quite as good. The clatter of forks and spoons began again." "Yes.familiarly to the table. I heard him when he was in his prime and I think he had then the purest tenor voice that was ever put into a man's throat. Miss Morkan?" asked Mr. pure." said Mary Jane. He told too of how the top gallery of the old Royal used to be packed night after night. Browne. he asked. Gabriel having finished. Bartell D'Arcy politely. Milan.

"I wish we had an institution like that in our Church. that the monks were trying to make up for the sins committed by all the sinners in the outside world. the monks. "Well. Freddy Malins also took a stalk of celery and ate it with his pudding. He was astonished to hear that the monks never spoke. Browne." The raisins and almonds and figs and apples and oranges and chocolates 130
. As Gabriel never ate sweets the celery had been left for him. how bracing the air was down there. but why?" asked Mr. most people give some donation to the monastery when they leave. Browne. Miss Morkan." All the gentlemen. Aunt Kate repeated that it was the rule. He asked what they did it for." said Aunt Kate firmly. got up at two in the morning and slept in their coffins. except Gabriel." As the subject had grown lugubrious it was buried in a silence of the table during which Mrs. "is to remind them of their last end. "that a chap can go down there and put up there as if it were a hotel and live on the fat of the land and then come away without paying anything?" "O. you know. "That's the rule of the order. He had been told that celery was a capital thing for the blood and he was just then under doctor's care. who had been silent all through the supper." said Mary Jane. Mr. that was all. how hospitable the monks were and how they never asked for a penny-piece from their guests." said Mary Jane. Browne candidly. "Yes. "And do you mean to say. Midway down they were held up by Mary Jane. said that her son was going down to Mount Melleray in a week or so. Browne grinned and said: "I like that idea very much but wouldn't a comfortable spring bed do them as well as a coffin?" "The coffin. who replenished them with raspberry or orange jelly or with blancmange and jam." said Mr." said Mr.spoonfuls of the pudding and passed the plates down the table. "that I'm brown enough for you because. as best he could." asked Mr. I'm all brown. Malins. Browne still seemed not to understand. Malins could be heard saying to her neighbour in an indistinct undertone: "They are very good men. ate some of the pudding out of compliment to Aunt Julia. The explanation was not very clear for Mr. The table then spoke of Mount Melleray. Freddy Malins explained to him. The pudding was of Aunt Julia's making and she received praises for it from all quarters She herself said that it was not quite brown enough. Mrs. Browne incredulously. I hope. very pious men.

Everyone laughed or smiled at Aunt Kate and Aunt Julia and Mary Jane who all turned crimson with pleasure. It is a tradition that is unique as far as my experience goes (and I have visited not a few places abroad) among the modern nations. It is not the first time that we have been the recipients--or perhaps. all three. The piano was playing a waltz tune and he could hear the skirts sweeping against the drawing-room door. In the distance lay the park where the trees were weighted with snow. the victims--of the hospitality of certain good ladies. The Wellington Monument wore a gleaming cap of snow that flashed westward over the white field of Fifteen Acres. Gabriel leaned his ten trembling fingers on the tablecloth and smiled nervously at the company. at least. gazing up at the lighted windows and listening to the waltz music. At first Mr. as in years past. however that may be. But granted even that. Someone coughed once or twice and then a few gentlemen patted the table gently as a signal for silence. perhaps. The air was pure there. that with us it is rather a failing than anything to be boasted of. Gradually as the last glasses were being filled the conversation ceased. I can only ask you tonight to take the will for the deed and to lend me your attention for a few moments while I endeavour to express to you in words what my feelings are on this occasion. to my mind. Some would say. A pause followed." He made a circle in the air with his arm and paused. Browne. broken only by the noise of the wine and by unsettlings of chairs. I had better say. it is. I am sure. "Ladies and Gentlemen. People. The silence came and Gabriel pushed back his chair." "No. Of one thing. He began: "Ladies and Gentlemen. a princely failing. to perform a very pleasing task but a task for which I am afraid my poor powers as a speaker are all too inadequate. around this hospitable board. looked down at the tablecloth. As long 131
. Bartell D'Arcy refused to take either but one of his neighbours nudged him and whispered something to him upon which he allowed his glass to be filled. were standing in the snow on the quay outside. The Misses Morkan. perhaps. no!" said Mr. it is not the first time that we have gathered together under this hospitable roof. "It has fallen to my lot this evening.and sweets were now passed about the table and Aunt Julia invited all the guests to have either port or sherry. Meeting a row of upturned faces he raised his eyes to the chandelier. and one that I trust will long be cultivated among us. Gabriel went on more boldly: "I feel more strongly with every recurring year that our country has no tradition which does it so much honour and which it should guard so jealously as that of its hospitality. "But. The patting at once grew louder in encouragement and then ceased altogether.

I will not let any gloomy moralising intrude upon us here tonight." continued Gabriel. Those days might. It shot through Gabriel's mind that Miss Ivors was not there and that she had gone away discourteously: and he said with confidence in himself: "Ladies and Gentlemen. a thought-tormented age: and sometimes I fear that this new generation. is. and as the guests of--what shall I call them?--the Three Graces of the Dublin musical world. We have all of us living duties and living affections which claim. It is serious and enthusiastic for these new ideas and its enthusiasm. I believe. without exaggeration. will lack those qualities of humanity. in the true spirit of camaraderie. and rightly claim. also to a certain extent." A hearty murmur of assent ran round the table. his voice falling into a softer inflection. "He says we are the Three Graces. our strenuous endeavours. Aunt Julia vainly asked each of her neighbours in turn to tell her what Gabriel had said. educated or hypereducated as it is. in the spirit of good-fellowship. Here we are gathered together for a brief moment from the bustle and rush of our everyday routine. Our path through life is strewn with many such sad memories: and were we to brood upon them always we could not find the heart to go on bravely with our work among the living. in the main sincere." "Hear. of hospitality. But we are living in a sceptical and. a generation actuated by new ideas and new principles. which our forefathers have handed down to us and which we in turn must hand down to our descendants. smiling. I will not linger on the past. is still alive among us. at Gabriel. 132
. at least. We are met here as friends. "But yet. Aunt Julia.as this one roof shelters the good ladies aforesaid--and I wish from my heart it may do so for many and many a long year to come--the tradition of genuine warm-hearted courteous Irish hospitality. if I may use the phrase." said Mary Jane. I must confess. "A new generation is growing up in our midst. of changes. "there are always in gatherings such as this sadder thoughts that will recur to our minds: thoughts of the past. Browne loudly. that in gatherings such as this we shall still speak of them with pride and affection. of youth. of kindly humour which belonged to an older day. even when it is misdirected. be called spacious days: and if they are gone beyond recall let us hope. hear!" said Mr. "Therefore. Listening tonight to the names of all those great singers of the past it seemed to me. Aunt Julia did not understand but she looked up. that we were living in a less spacious age. still cherish in our hearts the memory of those dead and gone great ones whose fame the world will not willingly let die. of absent faces that we miss here tonight. as colleagues." The table burst into applause and laughter at this allusion.

has become a byword with all who know her. hastened to his close. The task would be an invidious one and one beyond my poor powers. The acclamation which followed was taken up beyond the door of the supper-room by many of the other guests and renewed time after time. hard-working and the best of nieces. sang in unison. Which nobody can deny." All the guests stood up. while every member of the company fingered a glass expectantly. For when I view them in turn. Ladies and Gentlemen. Freddy Malins acting as officer with his fork on high. For they are jolly gay fellows. while they sang with emphasis: Unless he tells a lie. glass in hand. wealth. He raised his glass of port gallantly. Freddy Malins beat time with his pudding-fork and the singers turned towards one another. or. with Mr. and said loudly: "Let us toast them all three together. and turning towards the three seated ladies. last but not least. For they are jolly gay fellows. I confess. Browne as leader: For they are jolly gay fellows. happiness and prosperity and may they long continue to hold the proud and self-won position which they hold in their profession and the position of honour and affection which they hold in our hearts. For they are jolly gay fellows. they sang: For they are jolly gay fellows. whose too good heart. Let us drink to their health. when I consider our youngest hostess. cheerful. that I do not know to which of them I should award the prize. "I will not attempt to play tonight the part that Paris played on another occasion. whether it be our chief hostess herself. Then. I will not attempt to choose between them.
133
. whose good heart. who seems to be gifted with perennial youth and whose singing must have been a surprise and a revelation to us all tonight. Unless he tells a lie. as if in melodious conference." Gabriel glanced down at his aunts and. talented. seeing the large smile on Aunt Julia's face and the tears which had risen to Aunt Kate's eyes. or her sister. Which nobody can deny. Aunt Kate was making frank use of her handkerchief and even Aunt Julia seemed moved. turning once more towards their hostesses. long life. For they are jolly gay fellows.who continued in the same vein: "Ladies and Gentlemen.

I hope to goodness he didn't hear me. "Browne is everywhere. Gabriel advanced from the little pantry behind the office. "Nobody. "than a rattling fine walk in the country or a fast drive with a good spanking goer between the shafts. lowering her voice. looking round the hall." "Someone is fooling at the piano anyhow." said Aunt Kate in the same tone. He was dressed in a long green overcoat with mock astrakhan cuffs and collar and wore on his head an oval fur cap. I wouldn't like to face your journey home at this hour. "Teddy will have all the cabs in Dublin out." 134
. said: "Gretta not down yet?" "She's getting on her things." said Aunt Kate." she said archly. laughing as if his heart would break." "Browne is out there. "Really. Mrs.The piercing morning air came into the hall where they were standing so that Aunt Kate said: "Close the door. Browne came in from the doorstep. Mary Jane glanced at Gabriel and Mr." "I'd like nothing better this minute. Browne stoutly. Browne and said with a shiver: "It makes me feel cold to look at you two gentlemen muffled up like that. "Who's playing up there?" asked Gabriel. Gabriel. Malins will get her death of cold. somebody. and close the door." said Gabriel. struggling into his overcoat and." At that moment the hall-door was opened and Mr. Aunt Kate." said Mary Jane." "He has been laid on here like the gas. Aunt Kate." said Mary Jane." She laughed herself this time good-humouredly and then added quickly: "But tell him to come in." "O no. "he is very attentive. "Bartell D'Arcy and Miss O'Callaghan aren't gone yet. Mary Jane." said Aunt Kate. "all during the Christmas." he said." said Mr. Mary Jane laughed at her tone. They're all gone. He pointed down the snow-covered quay from where the sound of shrill prolonged whistling was borne in.

Malins. was a glue-boiler. "he had a starch mill. anyhow he began to walk round the statue. walking round and round in order to drive the mill. Freddy Malins. One fine day the old gentleman thought he'd like to drive out with the quality to a military review in the park. glue or starch. our grandfather. "he drove with Johnny. but now comes the tragic part about Johnny. Mary Jane ran to open it and let in Freddy Malins. what was wonderful about Johnny?" asked Mr." "The Lord have mercy on his soul. "Amen. "commonly known in his later years as the old gentleman." Everyone laughed. That was all very well." explained Gabriel. with his hat well back on his head and his shoulders humped with cold. who was a very pompous old gentleman. I think. laughing." said Gabriel. really. sir? Johnny! Johnny! Most extraordinary conduct! Can't understand the horse!" The peal of laughter which followed Gabriel's imitation of the incident was interrupted by a resounding knock at the hall door." said Mary Jane." "O." "Well. sir! What do you mean. harnessed Johnny and put on his very best tall hat and his very best stock collar and drove out in grand style from his ancestral mansion somewhere near Back Lane." said Gabriel. "Why." said Aunt Kate. Browne. that is. And Johnny used to work in the old gentleman's mill. now. laughing. at Gabriel's manner and Aunt Kate said: "O. as I said."We used to have a very good horse and trap at home. "Round and round he went. Aunt Kate and Gabriel laughed too. "and the old gentleman. was puffing and steaming after his exertions. Gabriel. even Mrs." said Aunt Kate compassionately. "The never-to-be-forgotten Johnny. "the old gentleman had a horse by the name of Johnny." said Gabriel. "The late lamented Patrick Morkan. was highly indignant. "So the old gentleman. 135
." Gabriel paced in a circle round the hall in his goloshes amid the laughter of the others. now." continued Gabriel." "Out from the mansion of his forefathers. Only the mill was there. And everything went on beautifully until Johnny came in sight of King Billy's statue: and whether he fell in love with the horse King Billy sits on or whether he thought he was back again in the mill." said Aunt Julia sadly. Gabriel. he didn't live in Back Lane. 'Go on.

sir. You understand now?" "Yes. "Make like a bird for Trinity College. and bent down for the address. The cabman settled his rug over his knees. and Aunt Kate. The difficulty was to know where to drop Mr. listening to something. each of whom had his head out through a window of the cab. He was in a dark part of the hall gazing up the staircase. and then Mr. A woman was standing near the top of the first flight. Browne helping him with advice. There was grace and 136
. Gabriel had not gone to the door with the others. "Well. But he could hear little save the noise of laughter and dispute on the front steps. trying to catch the air that the voice was singing and gazing up at his wife." he said. we'll find another along the quay. Browne. He could not see her face but he could see the terra-cotta and salmon-pink panels of her skirt which the shadow made appear black and white. He popped his head in and out of the window every moment to the great danger of his hat. As for Freddy Malins he was speechless with laughter. Browne shouted to the bewildered cabman above the din of everybody's laughter: "Do you know Trinity College?" "Yes. The confusion grew greater and the cabman was directed differently by Freddy Malins and Mr. a few chords struck on the piano and a few notes of a man's voice singing." "Right. drive bang up against Trinity College gates. Freddy Malins clambered in after her and spent a long time settling her on the seat." said the cabman. Browne got into the cab. Browne."I could only get one cab. sir. At last she was settled comfortably and Freddy Malins invited Mr." Mrs. Malins was helped down the front steps by her son and Mr. and told his mother how the discussion was progressing. sir. Browne along the route. "Better not keep Mrs. There was a good deal of confused talk. The horse was whipped up and the cab rattled off along the quay amid a chorus of laughter and adieus. It was his wife." said Aunt Kate. in the shadow also. "and then we'll tell you where to go. after many manoeuvres. Browne and." said the cabman." said the cabman. "O. hoisted into the cab. He stood still in the gloom of the hall. Aunt Julia and Mary Jane helped the discussion from the doorstep with cross-directions and contradictions and abundance of laughter. till at last Mr. Mr." said Gabriel. "Yes. Gabriel was surprised at her stillness and strained his ear to listen also. Malins standing in the draught. She was leaning on the banisters." said Mr. Browne into the cab.

still laughing. "O. Aunt Julia and Mary Jane came down the hall.mystery in her attitude as if she were a symbol of something. 137
." said Aunt Kate. listening to distant music. "It's Bartell D'Arcy singing and he wouldn't sing all the night. Mary Jane brushed past the others and ran to the staircase. the rain falls on my heavy locks And the dew wets my skin. "it's downright mean of you to break off like that when we were all in raptures listening to you." said Aunt Kate." said Miss O'Callaghan. but before she reached it the singing stopped and the piano was closed abruptly." said Aunt Julia. do. Gabriel held up his hand for them to be silent. "He's really terrible. Mr. isn't Freddy terrible?" said Mary Jane." cried Mary Jane." "O. made plaintive by distance and by the singer's hoarseness. faintly illuminated the cadence of the air with words expressing grief: O. Aunt Kate wrinkled her brows and made signs to the others to drop the subject." "O. Mr. "and Mrs." exclaimed Mary Jane. D'Arcy stood swathing his neck carefully and frowning. after a pause. "O. could find nothing to say. "It's the weather. "now that was a great fib to tell." "I have been at him all the evening. D'Arcy roughly. "O. Now that the hall-door was closed the voice and the piano could be heard more clearly. A few steps behind her were Mr. what a pity!" she cried. too. He asked himself what is a woman standing on the stairs in the shadow. D'Arcy.. Mary Jane. Gretta?" Gabriel heard his wife answer yes and saw her come down towards them. I'll get him to sing a song before he goes. O. The hall-door was closed. and he told us he had a dreadful cold and couldn't sing. The song seemed to be in the old Irish tonality and the singer seemed uncertain both of his words and of his voice. taken aback by his rude speech. Her blue felt hat would show off the bronze of her hair against the darkness and the dark panels of her skirt would show off the light ones. Distant Music he would call the picture if he were a painter. a symbol of." "Can't you see that I'm as hoarse as a crow?" said Mr. If he were a painter he would paint her in that attitude. Mr. He went into the pantry hastily and put on his overcoat. "Well. Conroy. and Aunt Kate. The voice. "Is he coming down. My babe lies cold. D'Arcy. The others. Bartell D'Arcy and Miss O'Callaghan." Gabriel said nothing but pointed up the stairs towards where his wife was standing..

which he had seen her drying at the fire a few days before. Aunt Kate. everybody has colds. good-night. fully swathed and buttoned." she repeated." "I love the look of snow. Gretta!" "Good-night. I won't have him annoyed. D'Arcy."Yes. Good-night. "I couldn't think of the name." Seeing that all were ready to start she shepherded them to the door. smiling." said Mr. "but I couldn't remember it properly. A sudden tide of joy went leaping out of his heart. "So do I." said Aunt Kate." said Miss O'Callaghan. Mary Jane." "Good-night. Mr." "Good-night." "Good-night. Gabriel." "They say." "It's a very nice air. "what is the name of that song you were singing?" "It's called The Lass of Aughrim. Why? Do you know it?" "The Lass of Aughrim. Aunt Julia. D'Arcy came from the pantry. Miss Morkan. Miss O'Callaghan. D'Arcy doesn't like the snow. She was standing right under the dusty fanlight and the flame of the gas lit up the rich bronze of her hair. D'Arcy. "we haven't had snow like it for thirty years. I didn't see you." said Mary Jane. and I read this morning in the newspapers that the snow is general all over Ireland." said Aunt Kate readily." said Aunt Kate. who did not join in the conversation." 138
." "But poor Mr. Gretta. "everybody. She was in the same attitude and seemed unaware of the talk about her. "don't annoy Mr. and thanks for the pleasant evening." said Aunt Julia sadly. "I think Christmas is never really Christmas unless we have the snow on the ground. and in a repentant tone told them the history of his cold. where good-night was said: "Well. Gabriel watched his wife. "Mr." she said. Aunt Kate." said Mary Jane. Good-night. "I'm sorry you were not in voice tonight. and thanks ever so much. Everyone gave him advice and said it was a great pity and urged him to be very careful of his throat in the night air." "O. D'Arcy. At last she turned towards them and Gabriel saw that there was colour on her cheeks and that her eyes were shining. Goodnight. good-night." "Now. D'Arcy. Mr.

catch her by the shoulders and say something foolish and affectionate into her ear. He was standing with her in the cold. It was slushy underfoot. all. was quite close to his. her household cares had not quenched all their souls' tender fire. on the parapets of the quay and on the area railings. had not quenched his soul or hers."Good-night. tender. He longed to recall to her those moments. Safe home. He longed to be alone with her. his writing. joyful. Their children. She had no longer any grace of attitude. In one letter that he had written to her then he had said: "Why is it that words like these seem to me so dull and cold? Is it because there is no word tender enough to be your name?" Like distant music these words that he had written years before were borne towards him from the past. For the years. A wave of yet more tender joy escaped from his heart and went coursing in warm flood along his arteries. Like the tender fire of stars moments of their life together. and only streaks and patches of snow lay on the roofs. sir?" But the man could not hear with the noise of the furnace. She was walking on before him with Mr." "Good-night. He might have answered rudely. and the thoughts went rioting through his brain. A dull. valorous. proud. yellow light brooded over the houses and the river. the palace of the Four Courts stood out menacingly against the heavy sky. Birds were twittering in the ivy and the sunny web of the curtain was shimmering along the floor: he could not eat for happiness. When 139
. It was just as well. fragrant in the cold air. Bartell D'Arcy." The morning was still dark. again. Moments of their secret life together burst like stars upon his memory. her shoes in a brown parcel tucked under one arm and her hands holding her skirt up from the slush. but Gabriel's eyes were still bright with happiness." "Good-night. A heliotrope envelope was lying beside his breakfast-cup and he was caressing it with his hand. broke upon and illumined his memory. and the sky seemed to be descending. It was very cold. They were standing on the crowded platform and he was placing a ticket inside the warm palm of her glove. She seemed to him so frail that he longed to defend her against something and then to be alone with her. The blood went bounding along his veins. She was walking on before him so lightly and so erect that he longed to run after her noiselessly. he felt. The lamps were still burning redly in the murky air and. and suddenly he called out to the man at the furnace: "Is the fire hot. Good night. that no one knew of or would ever know of. across the river. Her face. to make her forget the years of their dull existence together and remember only their moments of ecstasy. looking in through a grated window at a man making bottles in a roaring furnace.

." he said gaily.. the first touch of her body. But now. escaped from home and friends and run away together with wild and radiant hearts to a new adventure. in spite of Mr. sent through him a keen pang of lust. musical and strange and perfumed. She was looking out of the window and seemed tired. An old man was dozing in a great hooded chair in the hall. bidding the others good-night. as they stood at the hotel door. pointing out some building or street. and. their feet falling in soft thuds on the thickly carpeted 140
. The man saluted and said: "A prosperous New Year to you. paid the driver. When the cab drew up before the hotel. She leaned lightly on his arm.. galloping to their honeymoon. Then he nodded familiarly to it and waved his hand. happy that she was his." "The same to you.the others had gone away. as lightly as when she had danced with him a few hours before. "Where?" asked Mr. He would call her softly: "Gretta!" Perhaps she would not hear at once: she would be undressing. sir. He lit a candle in the office and went before them to the stairs. Bartell D'Arcy. "Good-night. He had felt proud and happy then." said Gabriel." "I see a white man this time. dragging his old rattling box after his heels. They followed him in silence. and Gabriel was again in a cab with her. then they would be alone together. proud of her grace and wifely carriage. galloping to catch the boat. He was glad of its rattling noise as it saved him from conversation. Dan. Gabriel jumped out and. he felt that they had escaped from their lives and duties. The others spoke only a few words. Under cover of her silence he pressed her arm closely to his side. on which lay patches of snow. Bartell D'Arcy's protest. after the kindling again of so many memories." said Gabriel cordially. The horse galloped along wearily under the murky morning sky. He gave the man a shilling over his fare. Then something in his voice would strike her. Gabriel pointed to the statue. At the corner of Winetavern Street they met a cab. She leaned for a moment on his arm in getting out of the cab and while standing at the curbstone. She would turn and look at him. As the cab drove across O'Connell Bridge Miss O'Callaghan said: "They say you never cross O'Connell Bridge without seeing a white horse. when he and she were in the room in the hotel.

pointing to the candle. Gabriel waited again and then. Then he mumbled good-night and went out. "I am a little." said Gabriel." he said. Her face looked so serious and weary that the words would not pass Gabriel's lips. And I say. A ghastly light from the street lamp lay in a long shaft from one window to the door. tired: that's all. "We don't want any light.stairs. her skirt girt tightly about her. for he was surprised by such a novel idea. her frail shoulders curved as with a burden. "You looked tired." he added. fearing that diffidence was about to conquer him. for his arms were trembling with desire to seize her and only the stress of his nails against the palms of his hands held the wild impulse of his body in check. on the steps below him. In the silence Gabriel could hear the falling of the molten wax into the tray and the thumping of his own heart against his ribs. "You don't feel ill or weak?" "No. Then he turned and leaned against a chest of drawers with his back to the light. unhooking her waist. Gabriel threw his overcoat and hat on a couch and crossed the room towards the window." She went on to the window and stood there. He looked down into the street in order that his emotion might calm a little. The porter pointed to the tap of the electric-light and began a muttered apology. but slowly. She had taken off her hat and cloak and was standing before a large swinging mirror. but Gabriel cut him short. She mounted the stairs behind the porter. looking out. he said abruptly: "By the way. No. We have light enough from the street." The porter took up his candle again. like a good man. "Eight." she answered. Gretta!" 141
. They halted. The porter led them along a corridor and opened a door. Then he set his unstable candle down on a toilet-table and asked at what hour they were to be called in the morning. Gabriel shot the lock to. it was not the moment yet. too. her head bowed in the ascent. The porter halted on the stairs to settle his guttering candle. and then said: "Gretta!" She turned away from the mirror slowly and walked along the shaft of light towards him. watching her. Gabriel paused for a few moments. "you might remove that handsome article. He could have flung his arms about her hips and held her still.

she kissed him. Perhaps her thoughts had been running with his. Gretta. Perhaps she had felt the impetuous desire that was in him. put his hands on her hair and began smoothing it back. too. The washing had made it fine and brilliant. at Christmas. after all. holding her head between his hands. really. "You are a very generous person. to overmaster her. looking at him strangely. Gabriel strove to restrain himself from breaking out into brutal language about the sottish Malins and his pound. He longed to be master of her strange mood. dear." she said. suddenly raising herself on tiptoe and resting her hands lightly on his shoulders. It's a pity he wouldn't keep away from that Browne. he wondered why he had been so diffident. What about him?" "Well. She stood before him for an instant. He stood. because he's not a bad fellow. Do I know?" 142
. He said again. really. and then the yielding mood had come upon her. to crush her body against his. trembling with delight at her sudden kiss and at the quaintness of her phrase. He longed to cry to her from his soul. "He gave me back that sovereign I lent him. softly: "Tell me what it is. about something? If she would only turn to him or come to him of her own accord! To take her as she was would be brutal. Just when he was wishing for it she had come to him of her own accord. slipping one arm swiftly about her body and drawing her towards him. he must see some ardour in her eyes first."What is it?" "You know that poor fellow Malins?" he said quickly. and I didn't expect it. His heart was brimming over with happiness. after a pause. Gabriel. Now that she had fallen to him so easily. Then. Was she annoyed. But he said: "O. what are you thinking about?" She did not answer nor yield wholly to his arm." He was trembling now with annoyance. he said softly: "Gretta. "Yes. Then. "When did you lend him the pound?" she asked. Why did she seem so abstracted? He did not know how he could begin. scarcely touching it with his fingers. poor fellow. he's a decent sort of chap. I think I know what is the matter. Gabriel. No. when he opened that little Christmas-card shop in Henry Street." He was in such a fever of rage and desire that he did not hear her come from the window." continued Gabriel in a false voice.

"I used to go out walking with him. throwing her arms across the bed-rail. "I am thinking about a person long ago who used to sing that song. He was very delicate. "named Michael Furey." Gabriel was silent. smiling. and his glimmering gilt-rimmed eyeglasses. the face whose expression always puzzled him when he saw it in a mirror. Gabriel stood stockstill for a moment in astonishment and then followed her. "Someone you were in love with?" he asked ironically.She did not answer at once. "I can see him so plainly. then. hid her face." "And who was the person long ago?" asked Gabriel. He did not wish her to think that he was interested in this delicate boy. Gretta?" he asked. I am thinking about that song. his broad. you are in love with him?" said Gabriel. "It was a person I used to know in Galway when I was living with my grandmother. As he passed in the way of the cheval-glass he caught sight of himself in full length." She broke loose from him and ran to the bed and." she answered. "It was a young boy I used to know." A thought flew across Gabriel's mind. He halted a few paces from her and said: "What about the song? Why does that make you cry?" She raised her head from her arms and dried her eyes with the back of her hand like a child. A dull anger began to gather again at the back of his mind and the dull fires of his lust began to glow angrily in his veins. "Why." she said. She looked at him and asked in surprise: 143
. "Perhaps that was why you wanted to go to Galway with that Ivors girl?" he said coldly. A kinder note than he had intended went into his voice. dark eyes! And such an expression in them--an expression!" "O. The Lass of Aughrim. "Such eyes as he had: big. well-filled shirt-front. The Lass of Aughrim." she said." she said. He used to sing that song. The smile passed away from Gabriel's face. "when I was in Galway. Then she said in an outburst of tears: "O. after a moment.

" she said. also sadly: "And what did he die of so young." he said. Gretta. He tried to keep up his tone of cold interrogation. feeling now how vain it would be to try to lead her whither he had purposed. acting as a pennyboy for his aunts. "about the beginning of the winter when I was going to leave my grandmother's and come up here to the convent. A shameful consciousness of his own person assailed him. He shrugged his shoulders and said: "How do I know? To see him. Gretta? Consumption. at that hour when he had hoped to triumph. Gabriel felt humiliated by the failure of his irony and by the evocation of this figure from the dead. as if. some impalpable and vindictive being was coming against him. Her voice was veiled and sad."What for?" Her eyes made Gabriel feel awkward. but he continued to caress it just as he had caressed her first letter to him that spring morning. gathering forces against him in its vague world. "He is dead. A vague terror seized Gabriel at this answer. orating to vulgarians and idealising his own clownish lusts. Gabriel. Isn't it a terrible thing to die so young as that?" "What was he?" asked Gabriel. While he had been full of memories of their secret life together. Instinctively he turned his back more to the light lest she might see the shame that burned upon his forehead. perhaps. "I was great with him at that time. she had been comparing him in her mind with another. a nervous. "He died when he was only seventeen." she said at length. But he shook himself free of it with an effort of reason and continued to caress her hand." she said. full of tenderness and joy and desire. He saw himself as a ludicrous figure. but his voice when he spoke was humble and indifferent." She looked away from him along the shaft of light towards the window in silence. well-meaning sentimentalist. "I suppose you were in love with this Michael Furey. a boy in the gasworks. Her hand was warm and moist: it did not respond to his touch. "It was in the winter. was it?" "I think he died for me. still ironically. He did not question her again. "He was in the gasworks. for he felt that she would tell him of herself." she answered. And he was ill at the time in his lodgings in Galway and 144
." she said. caressed one of her hands and said. the pitiable fatuous fellow he had caught a glimpse of in the mirror.

where his people came from. as though he and she had never lived together as man and wife. let it fall gently and walked quietly to the window. or something like that." "And did he go home?" asked Gabriel. that he was dead!" She stopped. choking with sobs. you know. He had a very good voice. The window was so wet I couldn't see. and. Gabriel held her hand for a moment longer. He was going to study singing only for his health. like the way they do in the country. her husband. "And then when it came to the time for me to leave Galway and come up to the convent he was much worse and I wouldn't be let see him so I wrote him a letter saying I was going up to Dublin and would be back in the summer. walking. so I ran downstairs as I was and slipped out the back into the garden and there was the poor fellow at the end of the garden. he went home. overcome by emotion. "He was very fond of me and he was such a gentle boy. looked for a few moments unresentfully on her tangled hair and half-open mouth. We used to go out together.
She was fast asleep." She paused for a moment and sighed. and I heard gravel thrown up against the window. His curious eyes rested 145
. O. and then. and then?" asked Gabriel. But he said he did not want to live. I was in my grandmother's house in Nuns' Island.wouldn't be let out. He watched her while she slept. irresolutely. Gabriel. flung herself face downward on the bed. It hardly pained him now to think how poor a part he. Gabriel. "I implored of him to go home at once and told him he would get his death in the rain. So she had had that romance in her life: a man had died for her sake. "Yes. He was in decline. I can see his eyes as well as well! He was standing at the end of the wall where there was a tree. shy of intruding on her grief. poor Michael Furey. the day I heard that. shivering. sobbing in the quilt. I never knew rightly." "Well." she said. they said." She paused for a moment to get her voice under control. and then went on: "Then the night before I left." "And did you not tell him to go back?" asked Gabriel. "Poor fellow. had played in her life. listening to her deep-drawn breath. and hoping he would be better then. and his people in Oughterard were written to. leaning on his elbow. And when I was only a week in the convent he died and he was buried in Oughterard. packing up.

His eyes moved to the chair over which she had thrown some of her clothes. his silk hat on his knees. He stretched himself cautiously along under the sheets and lay down beside his wife. One boot stood upright. A petticoat string dangled to the floor. friendly pity for her entered his soul. Perhaps she had not told him all the story. He had caught that haggard look upon her face for a moment when she was singing Arrayed for the Bridal. It was falling on every part of the dark central plain. its limp upper fallen down: the fellow of it lay upon its side. they were all becoming shades. He did not like to say even to himself that her face was no longer beautiful. from the wine and dancing. and would find only lame and useless ones. A few light taps upon the pane made him turn to the window. perhaps. farther westward. the merry-making when saying good-night in the hall. but he knew that it was no longer the face for which Michael Furey had braved death. He would cast about in his mind for some words that might console her. but could not apprehend. One by one. Yes. the pleasure of the walk along the river in the snow. than fade and wither dismally with age. It lay thickly drifted on the crooked crosses and headstones. their wayward and flickering existence. He wondered at his riot of emotions of an hour before. Yes. on the treeless hills. upon every part of the lonely churchyard on the hill where Michael Furey lay buried. falling obliquely against the lamplight. softly falling into the dark mutinous Shannon waves. He watched sleepily the flakes. on the spears of the little gate. From what had it proceeded? From his aunt's supper. crying and blowing her nose and telling him how Julia had died. would soon be a shade with the shade of Patrick Morkan and his horse. The blinds would be drawn down and Aunt Kate would be sitting beside him. His soul had approached that region where dwell the vast hosts of the dead. It was falling. He thought of how she who lay beside him had locked in her heart for so many years that image of her lover's eyes when he had told her that he did not wish to live. The air of the room chilled his shoulders. like the descent of 146
. too. Soon. a strange. He was conscious of. the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland. It had begun to snow again. He had never felt like that himself towards any woman. dressed in black. His own identity was fading out into a grey impalpable world: the solid world itself. silver and dark. falling softly upon the Bog of Allen and. Better pass boldly into that other world. The time had come for him to set out on his journey westward. Generous tears filled Gabriel's eyes.long upon her face and on her hair: and. which these dead had one time reared and lived in. His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling. yes: that would happen very soon. from his own foolish speech. in that time of her first girlish beauty. was dissolving and dwindling. in the full glory of some passion. on the barren thorns. Poor Aunt Julia! She. but he knew that such a feeling must be love. as he thought of what she must have been then. too. he would be sitting in that same drawing-room. The tears gathered more thickly in his eyes and in the partial darkness he imagined he saw the form of a young man standing under a dripping tree. Other forms were near.

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